Odds and Bets: Las Vegas Aces Have the Cards to Sweep the Fever

Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces: Vegas Sweep

The Indiana Fever get another crack at the best team in the WNBA on Monday night, the Las Vegas Aces. The clubs had a showdown in the desert Saturday night, and though the Fever put up a bit of a fight in the first half, the Aces were flush with talent, eventually pulling away for a 101-88 victory. The final improved their record to 12-1, whereas Indiana dropped to 5-8.

The venue remains the same, the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. This isn’t promising news for the Fever. Their opponents are a perfect 6-0 at home this year and have generally swatted away visitors like flies. The Nevada team’s depth means everything. Team leader in points Jackie Young had an off night Saturday (4-for-11, 10 points) but A’Ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum were up to the task (28 and 26 points, respectively). Sometimes a revenge match motivates the loser of the first bout. This doesn’t feel like one of those times.

Best Bet: Aces for the win

Cincinnati Reds vs Baltimore Orioles: Red Alert

Well, well, well. In our most recent MLB Power Rankings the Reds skyrocketed to fourth while the Orioles sat in second, in addition to being in the top five for weeks already. Here they are, ready for a three-game set in Maryland starting Monday night. Baltimore saved blushes after dropping the first game to the Mariners by winning the next two over the weekend. Cincinnati had an excellent challenge with a trio of tilts against the Braves. They played valiantly but lost two of three.

It’s looking like a decent amount of pitcher rotating is in store for the first game, as the Reds are sending a traditional reliever to the mound, Brandon Williamson. The Orioles are going with Cole Irvin, who is having a rough season (1-3, 7.71 ERA). Just as Baltimore has been strong at home, Cincinnati has earned itself a respectable 20-17 away record. This should be a genuinely interesting series.

Best Bet: Reds against the +1.5 runline

San Francisco Giants vs Toronto Blue Jays

We look ahead to another intriguing series that commences Tuesday when the surprising Giants come to Toronto to play the Blue Jays. The Giants are playing better baseball these days whereas the Blue Jays earned a much-needed series win over the floundering Oakland Athletics over the weekend.

At the time of writing San Francisco has not decided on who its starter will be. The Jays are looking at Kevin Gausman, which alone gives them an advantage. The Giants have swept their last three road series – Colorado, St. Louis, and L.A. Dodgers. Assuming they’ll waltz into Toronto and continue that trend is a bit much, but they don’t fear playing away from home. They can take the first game, or at least keep it close.

Best Bet: Giants on runline