Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was removed from a heated argument with Ajax teammate Bertrand Traore.
They were involved in an exchange amid their club’s dominant play against Besiktas.
In the first game of their Europa League journey, Ajax hosted the Turkish team.
The Dutch giant scored a 4-0 victory, starting off their optimistic path to the final in style.
However, emotions ran high in the second half when Traore conceded the ball in a dangerous area, leading to a clash with Henderson.
“There are many areas we can improve on. Hopefully, we can show that tomorrow (Thursday). It’s already a challenge to demonstrate this,” Henderson had said before the match.
“With small details, we could have done better in Deventer, like winning second balls and winning duels in general. There are more matches now. Especially for players who also compete internationally, the schedule is packed. It’s a lot when you think about it.”
Chelsea have picked Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo as one of their top targets ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports.
The Blues are eager to strengthen their defensive options and asked questions about Araujo’s availability over the summer, but Benfica were unwilling to let him go.
But Chelsea have not given up on signing the 22-year-old talent, who started four out of his team’s six league matches so far this campaign.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea want to sign a new centre-back in January and Araujo is at the top of their list. They also want RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba.
“Another player being linked with Chelsea is RB Leipzig’s talented centre-back Castello Lukeba. The 21-year-old is one of the most talented young defenders in Europe, for sure, and he’s been linked with some French clubs as well as with Chelsea, but what I can for the moment is that there is no concrete negotiation and no concrete talks taking place,” Romano wrote on his Daily Briefing Column.
“Leipzig recently sold Mohamed Simakan, so for another key defender to move on it would have to be a crazy proposal. Chelsea are following many centre-backs, so Lukeba is one of many players they’ve been monitoring, which is absolutely normal, just like with Tomas Araujo at Benfica.
“Araujo in particular is a player Chelsea really like, and they tried for him in the final weeks of the summer transfer window. At that time, Benfica didn’t want to sell the player, but he remains someone on Chelsea’s radar, and they are also scouting Lukeba, but at this moment it’s too early to predict where he’s going.”
The Champions League is one of the most watched sporting events throughout the football season. This contest gathers the elite teams of European football every season, and is very popular with bettors who love to wager on it. If you’re one of them, then read how to bet on the new 2024 champions league using sure win today predictions.
Hosted by the UEFA, the tournament only has the best clubs in Europe who are also top teams in their domestic leagues who will all be tested here. For the new champions league season, a new format was introduced to the tournament and we’ll discuss it here.
From the first qualifying rounds through the final in June 2025, this article covers how to bet on the 2024 champions league, favourites to win the tournament, top scorers, round of 16 qualifiers, final winner, sure win today predictions for the new season, and lots more.
In this article:
How to bet on the new 2024 champions league
How does the 2024 champions league work?
Who are the favourites to win the champions league 2024
2024 champions league top scorers
2024 champions league round of 16 qualifiers
2024 champions League final winner
Sure win today predictions for 2024 champions league
2024 champions league unique special markets
Tips for betting on 2024 champions league matches
How To Bet On The New 2024 Champions League
Before betting on the new 2024 champions league, start by comparing the best odds offered from top bookmakers like MatchPlug. Also learn more about this league before wagering, especially on a contest as big as this where there is lots of information available.
How Does The 2024 Champions League Work?
A particular number of clubs from every league in Europe compete in the Champions League. The number is based on the league’s quality and ranges from one to four teams. Some clubs play qualifiers to join the tournament, while others are put straight into the group stage.
After the qualifiers, comes the group stages. There are eight groups, each one consisting of four teams. The teams in every group play each other twice, once at home and once away. The top two qualify for the knockout rounds. The knockout rounds include – round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, final. Every fixture includes one home leg and one away leg, except the final, which is a stand-alone game.
Who Are The Favourites To Win The Champions League 2024?
Defending Premier League champions Manchester City are the favourites to win the Champions League trophy. They won the tournament in the 2022/23 season for the first time in the club’s history and are chosen to go deeper into the competition again.
Current Champions League holders Real Madrid, won the competition for the 5th time in 9 years. They are the second favourites to retain their title.
2024 Champions League Top Scorers
Factors that determine a player’s chances of finishing the Champions League as a top scorer include – their goal scoring abilities, recent performances, the fixture list and opponents, and team’s ambition. Here is a list of players tapped to become top scorers for the 2024 champions league.
Player
Team
Odd
Kylian Mbappé
Real Madrid
6.00
Erling Haaland
Manchester City
3.75
Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona
17.00
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
7.00
Goncalo Ramos
Paris Saint-Germain
Lautaro Martinez
Inter Milan
Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal
Darwin Nunez
Liverpool
34.00
Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid
21.00
Julian Alvarez
Atlético Madrid
26.00
Phil Foden
Manchester City
26.00
Antoine Griezmann
Atlético Madrid
34.00
Darwin Nuñez
Liverpool
34.00
Jamal Musiala
Bayern Munich
34.00
Champions league top goal scorer odds.
2024 Champions League Round Of 16 Qualifiers
There are some teams that are just more qualified to finish in the Round of 16, like the two favourites Manchester City and Real Madrid. These teams scale through, due to their experience in the tournament in recent years and lineup.
Here, you’ll find the odds for the 2024 champions league final winner. It includes a list of teams with the biggest potential to steal the trophy from established favourites Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Team
Odds
Manchester City
3.00
Real Madrid
4.50
Arsenal
9.00
Barcelona
11.00
Bayern Munich
13.00
Liverpool
15.00
PSG
23.00
Inter Milan
26.00
Bayer Leverkusen
26.00
Atletico Madrid
26.00
Borussia Dortmund
29.00
Juventus
34.00
AC Milan
41.00
Atalanta
51.00
Aston Villa
67.00
Champions league final winner odds.
Sure Win Today Predictions For 2024 Champions League
The new 2024 champions league is underway and weekly matches have returned. To help your bets, we have shared some sure win today predictions you can use to wager on this upcoming matches.
1. Leverkusen VS AC Milan
We begin our sure win today predictions for the 2024 champions league with an over 3.5 goal wager as Leverkusen welcomes AC Milan. The current form of both clubs make this a good value bet. The hosts have gone over 3.5 in all of their last five matches with a total of 21 goals seen in that time. Milan on the other hand, have scored 15 goals across their four matches with three of those games going over 3.5 goals.
Prediction: Over 3.5
2. Lille VS Real Madrid
Real Madrid is the preferred favourites to win here. They are on a run of seven victories and two draws from nine games. Lille, who only squeezed their way into the Champions League, have lost four of their last five matches winning nothing.
Prediction: Real Madrid Moneyline.
3. Aston Villa VS Bayern Munich
For this match, experts pick Harry Kane to score when Bayern Munich travels to Villa Park. There were a lot of conversations on whether or not Aston striker Ollie Watkins is a better option for England than Kane. But Kane will school Watkins.
Munich is scoring for fun this term and Kane has been the driving force behind it with 10 goals already this campaign. Four of Kane’s goals were in the first round of Champions League matches.
Like every other football tournament, bookmakers often release special markets to bettors. With these markets, you can try something different with your bet other than the unusual outright or BTTS markets. As expected, bookies have already released their markets for the 2024 champions league.
1. Accumulators (ACCAs)
Accumulators are bets with potential of a high payout. The hack here is to correctly guess all the selections on your bet slip to get paid from the combined odds. You can wager on multiple champions league games, and you don’t have to stake a large amount.
2. Freekick Score
The freekick score market is unusual and not every bookie offers it. But if you know a particular player that is very odd at scoring freekicks, then you can bet on him. You can ask for a bookmaker’s bet feature and see what kind of odds are available.
3. Player Assist
This involves backing a player to deliver an assist during the match. This market is often for individual matches and not outrights.
Tips For Betting On 2024 Champions League Matches
To make accurate champions league predictions, it is imperative that you consider certain factors. Here are our top tips for betting on the new champions league games.
1. Evaluate The Forms Of 2024 Champions League Teams
The most important part of betting on the Champions League or any football league at all is to study the form of the teams, and the key players. If a key player is unavailable or the team has been battling too many injuries, this can largely influence the match outcome.
2. Watch Team News
One of the best ways to stay informed this new season is to follow team news, no matter how boring you find it. If a top player is missing in a match against a strong contender, then that could also affect the final score of the game.
3. Factor In The Match’s Importance
If a club in the 2024 champions league has already qualified for the last 16 and their opponents are playing for a spot in the knockout phase, then consider betting on the outsiders. This is because the favourites may use a weak line-up.
4. Look At Team History
Historical data between two teams can teach you a lot about their next match. Some teams play better against some opponents, and can win them even if they are evenly placed. Furthermore, football is psychological, and if a club has lost all its past meetings to another team, they will find it hard to win them in future fixtures.
5. Compare 2024 Champions League Odds
The final step in your strategy would be to compare all the Champions League odds offered by bookies before betting. Different sports betting sites can give you varying odds for the same match. To make sure you get only the best value, sign up with multiple bookies to leverage their best odds.
The New 2024 Champions League Format
1. Starting from the 2023 season, the tournament is switching from the traditional format of 8 initial groups of 4 teams (a total of 32 teams), which advanced to knockout rounds (last 16 to the final), to a new 36-team tournament. This will have a single league contest where all clubs are ranked together.
2. In the ‘Champions League league phase’ all the teams will be in the same ‘league’, each club will play 8 matches instead of 6 games contenders played in the old group stage format.
3. The clubs that reached top 8 of the league phase, will progress through to the round of 16, while those in 9th-24th place will play a two-legged knockout tie to secure their place at the knockout stages. Teams that finished 25th or lower are eliminated from UEFA competition and won’t drop to the Europa League.
4. The 8 winners of the play-off ties will advance to the round of 16 where they will play one of the top 8 finishers in the league phase. From the round of 16 onwards, the tournament will maintain the traditional format, with quarter finals, semi-finals and a final.
The 2024-24 NBA season is barely one month away and it is not too early to start strategizing about winning matches. MatchPlug has created this article on how to bet on the NBA 2024 season using NBA picks. You’ll learn the importance of following NBA expert picks.
It’s no surprise that the defending champions Boston Celtics have the highest win total for the next season at 58.5. Boston led the NBA with 64 victories last year, the first time they passed 58.5 wins since 2009. The Celtics are one of the eight teams with a win total of over 50 matches.
In this article, we’ll discuss the new season’s win totals, picks and predictions and how to make the best NBA Expert picks. In the meantime, if you’d like a comprehensive view on wagering on the new season, read our article on NBA 2024 season preview and betting previews.
Article content:
NBA 2024 season win totals
NBA 2024 season picks and predictions
How NBA 2024 season expert picks work
How to make the best NBA 2024 season picks – covers (strategies)
NBA 2024 Season Win Totals
Team
2023-24 Win Totals
Current Win Total
Over Vig
Under Vig
Atlanta Hawks
36
35.5
+120
+100
Boston Celtics
64
58.5
+105
-130
Brooklyn Nets
32
19.5
-110
-110
Charlotte Hornets
21
29.5
-115
-105
Cleveland Cavaliers
48
47.5
-115
-105
Dallas Mavericks
50
50.5
+100
+120
Denver Nuggets
57
52.5
-110
-110
Detroit Pistons
14
24.5
-115
-105
Golden State Warriors
46
43.5
-110
-110
Houston Rockets
41
43.5
-115
-105
NBA 2024 win totals odds.
NBA 2024 Season Picks And Predictions
By October 22nd, 2024 82 teams from all over America and one from Canada will be competing for the coveted NBA championship title. While the Celtics will be playing to win for the second time (a feat few teams have been able to complete), others will want a slice of the title.
With that in mind, here are the top NBA 2024 season picks and predictions:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
48 victories seem way too low for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers battled many injuries last term as Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, and Darius Garland played for only 28 matches together. Yet, they still won 48 matches.
New coach Kenny Atkinson will manage a Cavaliers team that won 99-regular season matches over the last two seasons. His experiences as Nets head coach and assistant coach with Golden State Warriors should help him make the team better.
Total: Over 47.5 wins.
2. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns struggled with injuries last campaign in the first full year Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker played together. However, they still won 49 matches despite getting swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
All five starters will return to Phoenix this year and Mike Budenholzer will be coaching them. Budenholzer is one of the best regular-season head coaches in NBA history, he will replace Frank Vogel. Mike has a 271-120 record in five seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and a 213-197 record in his previous seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. This Suns team has potential.
Total: Over 46.5 wins.
3. Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons hit rock bottom last campaign, losing the most straight matches in NBA history and finished with the worst record in the league. This led to Monty Williams’ termination. The only chance at redemption for Pistons is a prospective young squad in Cade Cunnigham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren. They also added Tobias Harris, Paul Reed, and Malik Beasley.
New coach J.B Bickerstaff is an excellent leader for Detroit and has a good shot at improving things on the defensive end. Last season, the Cavalier’s defense was seventh in defensive rating (112.1) during the regular season under Bickerstaff.
Total: Over 24.5 wins.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers won 47 matches last campaign, but their line is still too high. Los Angeles was at their best last season, with a healthy Anthony Davis and LeBron James. James played consistently at a high level, competing in 71 matches, while Davis played in 76 matches. The big question for the NBA 2024 season is if both players will be healthy.
The Lakers were 15th in offensive rating, 17th in defensive rating and made the playoffs after surviving the Play-In Tournament the last two seasons. But they didn’t add much to their roaster, except Bronny James and Dalton Knecht.
Total: Under 44.5 wins.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers won 51 matches last season but recreating that score will be tough. Kawhi Leonard was exceptional, playing over 60 matches for the first time since 2016-17. However, things may not go so well in the NBA 2024 season considering how their last one ended with Leonard missing the final eight matches. His surgically treated right knee keeps acting up, even with the Clippers assuring that Leonard will be in training camp.
Losing Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers also affects the team. Their offseason additions were boring so it is hard to see them as strong competitors in the Western Conference, if Leonard is not playing,
Total: Under 40.5 wins.
6. Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton have cause to be hopeful after a full season in Doc Rivers’ system. However, the Milwaukee Bucks need to tighten their defense, which was 19th in the league last season. They are off a disappointing season where they won only 49 matches, largely due to injuries and an aging core.
Antetokounmpo is turning 30, Lillard is 34, Middleton is 32 and Brook Lopez is 36. All of them have experienced a decline in their statistical production and Milwaukee didn’t spend much in free agency. They only added AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith in the 2024 NBA draft. Both rookies are still fresh, so their chances of contributing immediately are slim.
Total: Under 50.5 wins.
7. Golden State Warriors
Despite losing Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors had a solid offseason. They added depth to their squad by signing Kyle Anderson, De’ Anthony Melton, and Buddy Hield. Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga are expected to make giant strides too. Additionally, Draymond Green should avoid suspension and play over 55 matches this year.
The Warriors won 46 matches last season, finishing 10th in a tight Western Conference. But they were 11th in the NBA in net rating and haven’t gone below this win total in three straight seasons. Fans can rely on a big bounce-back from Steph Curry and others when assessing the Warriors odds.
Total: Over 43.5 wins.
8. San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama has been compared to LeBron James in terms of hype, but it is worth nothing that James actually helped the Cleveland Cavaliers finish 42-40 in his second season. But this year’s Western Conference is more challenging than the one in the East.
The San Antonio Spurs have won 22 matches in each of the last two seasons, and this win total is leaning on sending them into a play-in tournament contest. The Spurs might be better off with one more bad season to get a top player in next year’s rookie class.
Total: Under 35.5 wins.
9. Denver Nuggets
This offseason is the second time the Denver Nuggets have lost a top player from their squad. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left for the Orlando Magic in free agency. Suddenly, the best starting lineup in the NBA is asking Christian Braun to fill a huge gap as the team’s top shooting guard. Braun averaged 20.2 minutes per contest and is an impact defensive player, but his shooting will allow opponents to play off him.
More importantly, Denver should focus more on guaranteeing they reach the postseason. They have admitted that exhaustion was why they lost in Game 7 against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the Western Conference semifinals. Experts don’t expect the Nuggets to aim for top seed in the West like last year, especially with Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray playing in the Olympics.
Total: Under 52.5 wins.
How NBA 2024 Season Expert Picks Work
NBA expert picks are created from a distinct algorithm that consider an array of factors such as
When betting on the new NBA season, ensure you find the best odds for your bets. Expert bettors line shop and you should do the same. If you want to wager on the Nuggets at -140 at one book, but another book has them at -125, the latter is more valuable.
Constantly missing out on the best lines will affect your bankroll in the long run, especially if you’re wagering larger sums.
2. Pay Attention To Current Team Form
Don’t waste all your time researching the standings when wagering on the NBA. Instead focus more on current team form, weighing the last three matches meticulously. Even the best teams have slumps, and losing teams can suddenly come back to live. Find out the causes behind recent results and if they’ll repeat it in the match you want to wager on.
3. Mind the matchups
Every team has its weaknesses and strengths. When looking for good NBA bets, watch how closely how those attributes measure up against that day’s opponents. If a team struggles with rebounds and faces a squad with a bigger, more efficient frontcourt that dominates the basket, ensure you account for that wager accordingly.
4. Injuries
Injuries play a significant role in an NBA team’s success during the regular season. If you want to wager on a side, look through the injury report to see which players are absent. Also find out which players could be on a break, especially if they have been playing back-to-back.
5. Monitor The Line Movement
NBA betting is not always about supporting the best team but instead about the best number. Markets like money lines, totals, and point spreads will be constantly adjusted based on action and injury news. Ensure you monitor the opening NBA odds and where they’re moving to to frame the best time to wager.
6. Delve Into Derivatives
Betting odds for the NBA 2024 season can be broken into halves and quarters, setting sides and totals for different parts of the game. These derivative odds can hold value you won’t find in full-game lines as teams have tendencies and trends that oddsmakers often miss. Use analytics to uncover derivatives.
The last act Derrick Rose performed as an NBA player was in the form of a letter to basketball, discussing the highs and lows he experienced over a 16-year pro career.
And with that, Rose declared his career has ended.
Rose announced his retirement on Thursday. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls and the MVP in 2011. He was, and still is, the youngest player to win an MVP in NBA history, claiming the award when he was only 22.
“You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain,” Rose wrote as part of his letter to the game, serving as his retirement announcement. He posted the letter online, as well as taking out full-page newspaper advertisements in each of the cities where he played in his NBA years.
“You told me it’s okay to say goodbye, reassuring me that you’ll always be a part of me, no matter where life takes me,” he wrote.
Rose was the NBA’s rookie of the year in 2008-09 for Chicago, the MVP two seasons later and an All-Star selection in three of his first four seasons. He missed almost two seasons after he suffered a major knee injury, and thought about leaving the game several times due to other injury issues. But Rose always goes back on the court.
Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said Rose “represents the grit, resilience, and heart” of Chicago.
“He’s one of the toughest and most determined athletes I’ve ever been around, constantly fighting through adversity that would have broken most,” Reinsdorf said. “Watching him grow from a Chicago Public League star to becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history as a Bull has been nothing short of an honor.”
Besides Chicago, Rose also played for the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Memphis Grizzlies. He spent last season with Memphis, returning to the city that was his home for his one season of college basketball.
He played in 24 matches with the Grizzlies last year and when it ended, Rose gave a lengthy speech on what coming back to Memphis meant to him.
“It’s all full circle,” Rose said in April. “Coming back here, having my family here, my wife’s family is from here, being back in this arena, having some of the people that came to my college games actually come to my professional games here, it’s all love.”
The Grizzlies in a statement on Thursday, where they congratulated Rose on his career said: “We are grateful for your meaningful contributions to this team and this city, and wish you all the best in this next chapter of life.”
We are grateful for your meaningful contributions to this team and this city, and wish you all the best in this next chapter of life. pic.twitter.com/Vc8QLv0c2I
Rose battled multiple knee surgeries over the years, taking a break in the 2017-18 campaign to reconsider his future, while dealing with ankle issues. He was absent for almost two full seasons after the knee injury in 2012, in what was his prime.
Derrick averaged 17.4 points and 5.2 assists in 723 regular-season matches. He averaged 21 points per match before the ACL tear 12 years ago, and 15.1 per game in the campaigns that followed.
“With D-Rose, it was never a question of his talent,” Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, a former Rose teammate, said in 2018. “It was always about his health. And when he was healthy, everyone saw all the talent.”
One of the most electrifying players the game has ever seen. Appreciate everything you brought to the game, DRose 🫡👑 https://t.co/DXQaI7v6Dy
Rose still demonstrated that MVP-level talent many times over the years after his knee troubles. He scored a career-high 50 points for Timberwolves in a 128-125 victory over the Utah Jazz on October 31 2018. That game brought him to tears. He delivered a 12-assist match for the Pistons in a 115-107 victory over the Houston Rockets on December 14, 2019, his first such match in almost eight years.
“I know the person that he is, the character that he has,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who coached Rose in Chicago, Minnesota and New York, said in 2018 when he was leading the Timberwolves. “And it shines through.”
Rose was a strong contender for the league’s sixth man of the year award in three straight campaigns – 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21. He even got a first-place MVP vote again in that 2020-21 season, 10 years after winning that award.
Derrick established himself as a star quickly, winning the NBA’s skills challenge as a rookie at All-Star weekend in 2009. He then won rookie of the year and scored 36 points in his playoff debut. It was a meteoric rise for someone who grew up amid poverty in a Chicago suburb, then saw basketball as an escape route and way to take care of his mother and family. In 2006, Derrick hit a shot to win an Illinois state high school championship. Just five years later, he was MVP of the NBA.
“The kid from Englewood turned into a Chicago legend,” the Bulls posted on social media Thursday, along with a video of Rose’s highlights with the team.
Twenty-two days and 4,884 miles after suffering an MCL sprain, Jordan Love will return.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback is expected to join the lineup for Sunday’s match against the guests Minnesota Vikings. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday, via a source.
Love was originally thought to miss three to six weeks, after injuring his knee in Green Bay’s season-opening defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles. Instead, he is back after missing only two matches.
Jordan’s status to play was questionable on each of the last two Fridays before he was unforeseeably inactive. This time, he is playing after a third questionable status in as many weeks.
Despite the joy for Love returning, the Packers backers are likely to be observing with equal parts excitement and apprehension about the health of their QB.
He is off a remarkable season where he finished in exceptional form, throwing for 4,159 passing yards and 32 touchdowns as he sent Green Bay into the playoffs. After his first term as Packer’s QB1; Love received an extension in the offseason, but hit a big obstacle in the opener when he was wounded on the third-to-last play.
Now, Jordan, who threw for 260 yards and two TDs in Week 1, is set to make his 2024 debut on North American soil.
Where Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander goes next is a big mystery. He is not certain if he will be on the Astros’ playoff roster; a thought that seemed unimaginable at the beginning of the year. Verlander is also not sure about which team’s uniform he will wear next year.
There is an outside chance Saturday’s 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field was the last time he pitched in an Astros uniform. This would close an outstanding run in Houston. Verlander won’t get emotional or look that far ahead, instead he is focusing on his good outing in Cleveland.
“It’s probably the best I felt since coming back [from a neck injury] so far,” Verlander said. “It’s nice to end on a strong note.”
Verlander, making his 526th career start (130th with Houston). He conceded a two-run homer in the first inning to Guardians’ slugger José Ramírez who included a sac fly in the third inning. Justin ended with six innings and three runs permitted, giving him a 5.48 ERA in 90 ⅓ innings pitched this campaign.
“I thought he threw the ball really, really well,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He got to 97 [mph] against Ramírez, digging deep there in one at-bat. He made some good pitches. I thought he got those guys off balance. A lot of their singles were kind of soft and he made some really good pitches.
“I thought today he went out there with a purpose. It’s not like he hasn’t been going with a purpose, but I thought there was some intention there to show he can really deliver, and he did.”
Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt, who went 1-for-8 against Verlander in his 10-year playing career, thought he was at the top of his game. Justin improved to 24-24 in his career against the Guardians.
“That’s how he’s always been his whole career,” Vogt said. “He kind of settles in the first couple innings and then it just starts to ramp up. We got to him. Josey hit the homer. We were able to manufacture a run off of him. Just not much else outside of that.”
Houston has a powerful quartet of starting pitchers to lead them into the postseason. Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown and Yusei Kikuchi will possibly start, in some order. They are next week’s best-of-three Wild Card Series against either the Detroit Tigers or the Kansas City Royals. Then there is Ronel Blanco, who is second in the AL in ERA (2.80) and leads the league in opponents’ batting average (.190).
The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays will meet tonight for a Sox VS Rays MLB action, don’t miss it.
MatchPlug has the MLB Expert Picks, predictions, and odds for Sox VS Rays. We are a Hot Prediction Site that offers accurate MLB previews and match analysis.
Predictions And Betting Preview For Boston Red Sox VS Tampa Bay Rays
The Boston Red Sox scored just two runs on Saturday and it wasn’t enough as they lost by five runs. Triston Casas hit a home run. The Red Sox average 4.65 runs, while their pitching delivers 4.63 runs per match.
Boston’s offense is 9th in MLB, while their pitching is 23rd. Tyler O’ Neil has hit 31 home runs and driven in 61 RBIs so far this campaign. If the Red Sox want to win in this match, they’ll need the offense to give a fast start.
Betting On The Tampa Bay Rays
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.871
1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5
The Tampa Bay Rays offense was strong on Saturday, scoring seven runs and that was enough for the win. Junior Camerino hit a homer and drove in three RBIs. Josh Lowe also finished with one hit, one walk and two RBIs. The Rays average 3.75 runs, while their pitching concedes 4.09 runs per game.
Tampa’s offense is 29th in the league, and the pitching is ranked 8th. They have a negative run differential of -0.35 which is 21st in MLB. Yandy Diaz has hit 14 home runs and driven in 65 RBIs so far this term. Ryan Pepiot will start for the Rays. Pepiot has an 8-7 record and ERA of 3.45. In his last start against the Detroit Tigers, he went five innings conceding three hits and two runs.
MatchPlug Prediction For Boston Red Sox VS Tampa Bay Rays
The Red Sox bats struggled in Saturday’s game, and it won’t be no different tonight. The Rays average just 3.75 runs per game, but they will score enough to win the match. Take them on the moneyline.
The Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers will meet tonight at the Angel Stadium for an Angels VS Rangers action.
Find the MLB best bets today, predictions, picks, and odds for Angels VS Rangers on MatchPlug. We are aSure Prediction Site to get accurate previews on MLB matches.
Predictions And Betting Preview For Los Angeles Angels VS Texas Rangers
The Los Angeles Angels enter this match hoping to salvage points to close the season after getting a series loss no thanks to Saturday’s defeat. The loss meant that the Angels will end the year with series defeats to Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, and Rangers over the last week and a half.
Taylor Ward has 144 hits including 26 doubles, 25 home runs and 75 RBIs while Zach Neto has 34 doubles, 23 home runs, 77 RBIs, 140 strikeouts, and 30 stolen bases. Luis Rengifo also has 85 hits and 24 stolen bases, while Jo Adell has 20 home runs, 62 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.
Betting On The Texas Rangers
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.626
1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5
The Texas Rangers will want to complete their sweep after winning the Angels 9-8 in Saturday’s game. The series victory for the Rangers meant they would end their series skid to close out the season, after losing to the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners over the last week and a half.
Marcus Semien leads the Rangers with 153 hits including 27 doubles, 23 home runs and 74 RBIs. Adolis Garcia has 25 home runs and 85 RBIs with 27 doubles including 11 stolen bases. Jonah Heim has 13 homers and 58 RBIs, while Josh Smith has 29 doubles.
MatchPlug Prediction For Los Angeles Angels VS Texas Rangers
The Rangers have played out the end of their season well and will impress come next year if they keep their current form. But for now, they will close out the term with a win over the Angels.
He said recently that he’s rejected offers to return to England: “I have … but I believe everything will happen naturally and at its own time and I am really chilled.
“So, if something was to come up that did make sense, you never know in football…”
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