Odds and Bets: USA Continues to Roll at the World Cup

United States vs Netherlands

The American and Dutch women’s teams meet on the pitch in the group stage of this year’s World Cup after contesting the final in 2019. The media has had fun hyping this one up, which is inevitable whenever previous finalists cross paths. The U.S. is still number one in FIFA’s rankings, justifiably so, whereas the Netherlands is a respectable nine. Group E’s opening salvo saw the European squad deal with Portugal 1-0 while the Americans earned a comfortable 3-0 victory against Vietnam.

Three points and a 3-0 final exemplified smooth sailing for Megan Rapinoe and company. Speaking of Rapinoe, she replaced Alex Morgan in the 63^rd minute. The superstar is expected to feature prominently yet, by her own standards, was perhaps a bit quiet in the team’s opening match. That probably does not bode well for the Dutch. They also have to reckon with Sophia Smith, who made her presence known with a brace against Vietnam.

Best Bet: United States wins

Calgary Stampeders vs Montreal Alouettes

Week 8 of the CFL concludes on Sunday evening in la Belle Province when the Calgary Stampeders (2-4) visit the Montreal Alouettes (2-3). Calgary is coming off its second, soul-crushing overtime defeat of the campaign and its second at home no less. Montreal nursed its wounds during a week 7 bye.

Both teams are in a tough spot. The optimism that flowed at the start of the year has been substituted for doubt and lingering questions. Montreal’s secondary will be in tough versus QB Jake Maier, second in the CFL in yards passing. The Cody Fajardo to Austin Mack connection will need to step up against a mediocre Calgary defence. Two weeks ago the Als played the Argonauts everything they had in a close loss. The Stamps are not the Argos, so…

Best Bet: Montreal Alouettes and the spread

Baltimore Orioles vs Philadelphia Phillies

Wednesday night sees the rubber match between the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies. The first two games were incredibly tight – a 3-2 victory for Baltimore and a 4-3 win for the Phillies. Bryce Harper had some redemption on Tuesday by running in for the game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth inning after being thrown out at the plate on Monday.

The visiting Orioles put their trust in Kyle Bradish (6-5, 3.05 ERA), whereas the Phillies are sending Ranger Suarez to the mound (2-5, 4.07 ERA). This is a humungous game for both sides, as Baltimore fights for first place in the AL East and Philly battles for a postseason birth. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the series has been so close. After a very sloppy start to the season, the Phillies have played better baseball in recent weeks. Baltimore has been excellent since the start but they’re going through a murderer’s row of tough opponents at the moment and one wonders how much longer they can keep on winning.

Best Bet: Philadelphia Phillies on the moneyline