The countdown is on: we’re a week away from the NFL preseason beginning. Still, things are heating up like an iron rod in the Vegas sun over here. Baseball is approaching the trade deadline, which could certainly shake up the league hierarchy, and the Olympics begin this week.
With all that in mind, let’s quickly look back at the past week in sports and peek at what’s ahead on the STN Sports app and at the STN Sports Books…
MLB
In baseball, things can change faster than a Democratic presidential ticket. The Dodgers, Yankees, Guardians and Orioles — all teams with legitimate World Series aspirations — could all use pitching, and they may have their eyes squared firmly on Detroit’s Tarik Skubal.
“He would move the needle for teams at the top, especially Baltimore,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos Race and Sports Book Director. The White Sox could move Garrett Crochet, Michael Kopech and Luis Robert Jr.
The Blue Jays are rumored to be listening to offers on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. “I don’t think there’s a lot of guys that aren’t untouchable,” Esposito said. “If it is the right offer, I think anybody will listen, but I think Cleveland could use definitely some pitching.”
If the Orioles get Skubal, hypothetically, they would be the clear American League favorite. Mason Miller of the A’s is also attracting more interest than a high-yield saving account, but it’s going to take an absolute haul to get him. “The Dodgers really need to go out and do something, too,” Esposito noted. “The Dodgers seem to be all in with guys on the White Sox, and L.A. appears to have the farm system and will do what it takes. I could see them potentially acquiring all three from the White Sox in a blockbuster deal.”
Olympics
Every couple of years, guests get to test their “medal,” and this is that time. The Summer Olympics kick off this week, and STN Sports Books are the gold standard of Games betting. Running the gambit, wagers can be placed on basketball, soccer, handball, tennis and so many other sports.
“Other than baseball, there’s really not a lot of other things going up against the Olympics, so they should draw some interest,” Esposito said. “We’ve put more and more stuff up regarding the Olympics over the last probably decade, and I think because it is such a global event, you’re going to have people that want to bet it and follow it, especially the events that are live in prime time.”
Of course, timing could be an issue with the Games being in Paris, but that’s where the STN Sports App comes into play. “I think you’ll see a lot more betting on the Olympics because of the app because everything is right there at your fingertips,” Esposito said.
Open Championship
Xander Schauffele began the final day of The Open Championship as one of six guys within a shot of the lead. Entering the tournament with 15-to-1 odds, Schauffele was among the favorites (but not THE favorite.)
“It was a good outcome for us,” Esposito said. “There were a couple of golfers that were a good outcome for us. We won on Schauffele, and we won a bunch of prop bets and on a lot of the head-to-head matchups.”
NFL QBs
Rookie quarterbacks playing Week 1 of the NFL season have a dismal record, but this season could be an outlier. Both Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels of the Bears and Commanders, respectively, are likely to be lined up under center when the NFL regular season kicks off.
Esposito said, “The Commanders have some really good skill position players around Jayden Daniels in [Terry] McLaurin and [Jahan] Dotson and [Austin] Ekeler. The Bears have a lot of talented guys, as well, so I think both guys come into really unique situations, much different than what a lot of first-year quarterbacks come into.”
In other words, maybe consider the Commanders’ and Bears’ overs in the win/loss totals. It doesn’t appear the other four quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2024 draft will be starting in Week 1.
Bets To Know
A HUGE UFC 304 is upon us this Saturday from overseas. Check the STN Sports App for matchups and props.
Weekly Winners
The dog days turn to paydays! $20 6-team parlay turns to $1,168 for this baseball bettor on July 23:
-Cardinals +163 over Pirates
-Phillies -142 over Twits
-Rangers -130 over White Sox
-Rays +120 over Blue Jays
-Red Sox -154 over Rockies
-Padres +103 over Nationals