Is this weekend a World Series preview?
The Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays begin a three-game series in Tampa this weekend as Charlie Morton faces Tyler Glasnow.
The Braves have the best record in baseball at 58-28 thanks to an incredible summer run. The Braves are 25-5 over their last 30 games and are just as good on the road (28-13) as they are at home (30-15).
The Rays have the second best record in baseball at 57-33 and are the best team in baseball at home with a 34-13 record. Tampa is just 16-14 over its last 30 games after a hot start and enters Friday night’s game on a five-game losing streak. The Rays lost to the Phillies on Thursday.
In addition to the two best records in baseball, the Braves and Rays also have the best odds in the World Series at BetMGM. Atlanta is +375 to win the World Series while Tampa Bay is +450 to win the first World Series in franchise history.
The Braves are favorites in the National League ahead of the Dodgers (+500 to win the World Series) and the Rays are the favorites in the American League. The Rangers are the AL’s No. 2 favorite at +900 to win the World Series.
On Friday night, the Rays are the slight favorites to get the win. Tampa Bay is -115 to win straight while the Braves are -105. If you want to take the run line, the Braves are +150 to win by two or more runs and the run total is 8.5.
Glasnow enters the game with a 4.50 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched so far this season. Morton has already thrown 90.2 innings and has struck out 105 batters, although he has also walked 40. He has a 3.57 ERA but has been walking a tightrope with a 1.44 WHIP.
Another MLB action
Two of baseball’s most iconic franchises square off at Yankee Stadium as the Cubs visit the Yankees this weekend. New York is -175 to win outright while a Cubs win on Friday night is +145.
The battle of Los Angeles can also be seen this weekend as the Angels briefly visit the Dodgers. Like the Yankees, the Dodgers are -175 to win while the Angels are +145.
Cam Young’s comeback at the John Deere?
2023 is not Cam Young’s year yet but he enters the second round of the John Deere Classic as the favorite to win the tournament. Young shot a 6-under 65 on Thursday to tie for third place behind Jonas Blixt’s 62. Young is now +550 to win the tournament over a very thin field as the PGA Tour heavyweights take the weekend away to cross the Atlantic to start. preparing for the Scottish Open and the British Open.
Who bought tickets on Thursday?
Three teams won in extra innings on Thursday. The Reds beat the Nationals 5-4 in 10 innings, the Phillies won in 11 innings and the Blue Jays beat the White Sox 6-2 in 11 innings. The Baltimore Orioles smoked the Yankees 14-1
