WNBA BEST BETS FOR AUGUST !
08/19/2025....................3 - 3 - 1.......................50.00%..............- 1.50
08/17/225......................5 - 4 - 1.........................55.55%..............+ 3.00
08/15/2025....................5 - 3 - 1........................62.50%.............+ 8.50
08/13/2025....................4 - 1 - 1........................80.00%.............+14.50
08/11/2025....................0 -2 - 0.........................00.00%.............- 11.00
08/10/2025....................0 - 4 - 0........................00.00%..............- 22.00
08/09/2025....................2 - 2 - 0........................50.00%..............- 1.00
08/08/2025....................3 -3 - 0.........................50.00%...............- 1.50
08/07/2025....................3 - 3 - 0........................50.00%................- 1.50
08/06/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%...............- 11.00
08/05/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/03/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/02/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%................- 11.00
08/01/2025....................4 - 4 - 0........................50.00%................- 2.00
TOTALS.......................41 - 41 - 4.......................5.00%..................- 20.50
********************************************************************************
BEST BETS BY MONTHS
JULY TOTALS......................69 -50 - 6..................57.98%................+ 70.00
JUNE TOTALS....................58 - 52 - 1..................52.72%................+ 19.50
MAY TOTALS......................39 - 22 - 0..................63.93%................+ 68.50
08/19/2025....................3 - 3 - 1.......................50.00%..............- 1.50
08/17/225......................5 - 4 - 1.........................55.55%..............+ 3.00
08/15/2025....................5 - 3 - 1........................62.50%.............+ 8.50
08/13/2025....................4 - 1 - 1........................80.00%.............+14.50
08/11/2025....................0 -2 - 0.........................00.00%.............- 11.00
08/10/2025....................0 - 4 - 0........................00.00%..............- 22.00
08/09/2025....................2 - 2 - 0........................50.00%..............- 1.00
08/08/2025....................3 -3 - 0.........................50.00%...............- 1.50
08/07/2025....................3 - 3 - 0........................50.00%................- 1.50
08/06/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%...............- 11.00
08/05/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/03/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/02/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%................- 11.00
08/01/2025....................4 - 4 - 0........................50.00%................- 2.00
TOTALS.......................41 - 41 - 4.......................5.00%..................- 20.50
********************************************************************************
BEST BETS BY MONTHS
JULY TOTALS......................69 -50 - 6..................57.98%................+ 70.00
JUNE TOTALS....................58 - 52 - 1..................52.72%................+ 19.50
MAY TOTALS......................39 - 22 - 0..................63.93%................+ 68.50
Wednesday’s 6-pack:
Longest active droughts for college football teams in the AP Top 25:
2012— Rutgers
2019— West Virginia
2019— Stanford
2019— Maryland
2019— California
2019— Virginia
Quote of the Day
“I was wondering, the person who invented the clock, the first clock ever. How did that person know what time it was?”
John Kruk
Wednesday’s quiz
Who played QB for the Philadelphia Eagles, the first time they played in a Super Bowl?
Tuesday’s quiz
In the 1998 movie Bulworth, Warren Beatty played a suicidal politician who takes a contract out on himself, but then falls in love with the woman hired to kill him (Halle Berry).
Monday’s quiz
In the football movie The Replacements, Gene Hackman coached and Keanu Reeves played QB for the Washington Sentinels.
************************************************
First episode dealt mostly with Patrick Mahomes and the Hunt family, which owns the Chiefs. Second episode was all about Andy Reid and his career.
If you like the NFL and history and don’t dislike the Chiefs, it is worth your time- there has even been a little Hank Stram footage in there (“65 toss power trap, boys. Could break wide open”).
— Trade deadline in Major League Baseball is July 31st; I’m wondering if it would be better for the sport if the deadline was August 31st, the way it used to be?
Trades/trade rumors equal publicity, contenders trying to get better, more people talking about the sport, which is good for everyone involved. MLB does a terrible job of promoting the game, which is a great game, but they have to work at promoting it, the way the NFL does.
— Commissioner Manfred had an interesting suggestion at the Little League Classic Sunday night on ESPN; when the sport expands to 32 teams in the next few years, and they will, could be that there will be geographic re-alignment, and no more American/National Leagues.
Less travel for the teams, more games between geographic rivals, better TV ratings, more $$$ made for the teams, which is what everyone wants.
We posted that idea in this space 15 years ago, still think it is a good idea.
By the way, Salt Lake City/Nashville seem like frontrunners to get an expansion team.
— Indianapolis Colts named Daniel Jones their starting QB; Jones was 25-45-1 as a starter for the Giants, splitting two playoff games three years ago.
— Random stat: Chicago White Sox have lost their last 14 games in Kansas City.
— Cincinnati Reds DFA’d OF Jake Fraley, and Atlanta scooped him up. Reds are contending, Braves aren’t. Fraley hit .232 for the Reds this year with a .719 OPS; his career OPS is .736.
— Long time ago, when I was a kid, seemed like no one ever swung at a 3-0 pitch, batters just took it, except for the very best hitters. Nowadays, do hitters swing at more 3-0 pitches?
In 2022, there were 7,197 pitches thrown in 3-0 counts across MLB and 6,838 of them, or 95%, were fastballs. Compare that to 2-0 counts, where out of 23,542 pitches, only 17,134 of them, or 72%, were fastballs.
In 2022, Atlanta saw 231 pitches in a 3-0 count and swung at 50 of them, for a 22% swing rate. Only the Texas Rangers at 24% swung at a higher percentage.
— Baseball players need to slide feet-first more, especially into home plate; guys are hurting their hands/fingers sliding head-first into bases.
— Famous birthdays, August 20th:
Peter Horton, 72
Quinn Buckner, 71
Mark Langston, 65
Andy Benes, 58
Todd Helton, 52
Amy Adams, 51
Jerryd Bayless, 37
Mitch Trubisky, 31
Jung Hoo Lee, 27
— Tigers 1, Astros 0 (10)
Hunter Brown/Tarik Skubal had a pretty good pitchers’ duel here.
Astros were shut out for third day in a row, and fourth time in five games.
Game ended on a bases loaded walk to Gleyber Torres.
— Cubs 6-4, Brewers 4-1
Chicago sweeps a pair, moves within 7 games of Milwaukee in the NL Central.
— Braves 11, White Sox 10
Chicago led 10-4 after the sixth inning.
Matt Olson went 4-for-5, scored three runs.
White Sox have scored 10+ runs in 6 of 29 games since the All-Star break.
— Reds 6, Angels 4
Reds blew a 4-1 lead, but scored twice in ninth inning for the win.
Noelvi Marte homered, doubled for Cincinnati.
Jo Adell homered twice for the Angels.
— A’s 6, Twins 3
Nick Kurtz went 3-for-3, with two walks.
A’s are 11-5 when Jacob Lopez starts on the mound.
A’s are 15-8 in their last 23 games overall.
— Orioles 4, Red Sox 3 (11)
Rookie C Basallo knocked in winning run in top of the 11th.
Newly-acquired Nathaniel Lowe tied game in the 9th inning for Boston.
Red Sox are 4-8 in their last dozen games.
— Royals 5, Rangers 2
Bobby Witt Jr hit his 100th career home run.
Royals have won five games in a row.
Rangers lost 10 of their last 12 games.
— If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Cubs, Mets, Padres.
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Mariners, Red Sox
Longest active droughts for college football teams in the AP Top 25:
2012— Rutgers
2019— West Virginia
2019— Stanford
2019— Maryland
2019— California
2019— Virginia
Quote of the Day
“I was wondering, the person who invented the clock, the first clock ever. How did that person know what time it was?”
John Kruk
Wednesday’s quiz
Who played QB for the Philadelphia Eagles, the first time they played in a Super Bowl?
Tuesday’s quiz
In the 1998 movie Bulworth, Warren Beatty played a suicidal politician who takes a contract out on himself, but then falls in love with the woman hired to kill him (Halle Berry).
Monday’s quiz
In the football movie The Replacements, Gene Hackman coached and Keanu Reeves played QB for the Washington Sentinels.
************************************************
Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings…….
— TV recommendation: ESPN has a Hard Knocks-type show about last year’s Chiefs, The Kingdom; watched the first two episodes Monday night, it is very good, more in-depth than what is usually in Hard Knocks. NFL Films always does quality stuff, but with ESPN starting its new stand-alone service this week, this seems a little better than usual.First episode dealt mostly with Patrick Mahomes and the Hunt family, which owns the Chiefs. Second episode was all about Andy Reid and his career.
If you like the NFL and history and don’t dislike the Chiefs, it is worth your time- there has even been a little Hank Stram footage in there (“65 toss power trap, boys. Could break wide open”).
— Trade deadline in Major League Baseball is July 31st; I’m wondering if it would be better for the sport if the deadline was August 31st, the way it used to be?
Trades/trade rumors equal publicity, contenders trying to get better, more people talking about the sport, which is good for everyone involved. MLB does a terrible job of promoting the game, which is a great game, but they have to work at promoting it, the way the NFL does.
— Commissioner Manfred had an interesting suggestion at the Little League Classic Sunday night on ESPN; when the sport expands to 32 teams in the next few years, and they will, could be that there will be geographic re-alignment, and no more American/National Leagues.
Less travel for the teams, more games between geographic rivals, better TV ratings, more $$$ made for the teams, which is what everyone wants.
We posted that idea in this space 15 years ago, still think it is a good idea.
By the way, Salt Lake City/Nashville seem like frontrunners to get an expansion team.
— Indianapolis Colts named Daniel Jones their starting QB; Jones was 25-45-1 as a starter for the Giants, splitting two playoff games three years ago.
— Random stat: Chicago White Sox have lost their last 14 games in Kansas City.
— Cincinnati Reds DFA’d OF Jake Fraley, and Atlanta scooped him up. Reds are contending, Braves aren’t. Fraley hit .232 for the Reds this year with a .719 OPS; his career OPS is .736.
— Long time ago, when I was a kid, seemed like no one ever swung at a 3-0 pitch, batters just took it, except for the very best hitters. Nowadays, do hitters swing at more 3-0 pitches?
In 2022, there were 7,197 pitches thrown in 3-0 counts across MLB and 6,838 of them, or 95%, were fastballs. Compare that to 2-0 counts, where out of 23,542 pitches, only 17,134 of them, or 72%, were fastballs.
In 2022, Atlanta saw 231 pitches in a 3-0 count and swung at 50 of them, for a 22% swing rate. Only the Texas Rangers at 24% swung at a higher percentage.
— Baseball players need to slide feet-first more, especially into home plate; guys are hurting their hands/fingers sliding head-first into bases.
— Famous birthdays, August 20th:
Peter Horton, 72
Quinn Buckner, 71
Mark Langston, 65
Andy Benes, 58
Todd Helton, 52
Amy Adams, 51
Jerryd Bayless, 37
Mitch Trubisky, 31
Jung Hoo Lee, 27
— Tigers 1, Astros 0 (10)
Hunter Brown/Tarik Skubal had a pretty good pitchers’ duel here.
Astros were shut out for third day in a row, and fourth time in five games.
Game ended on a bases loaded walk to Gleyber Torres.
— Cubs 6-4, Brewers 4-1
Chicago sweeps a pair, moves within 7 games of Milwaukee in the NL Central.
— Braves 11, White Sox 10
Chicago led 10-4 after the sixth inning.
Matt Olson went 4-for-5, scored three runs.
White Sox have scored 10+ runs in 6 of 29 games since the All-Star break.
— Reds 6, Angels 4
Reds blew a 4-1 lead, but scored twice in ninth inning for the win.
Noelvi Marte homered, doubled for Cincinnati.
Jo Adell homered twice for the Angels.
— A’s 6, Twins 3
Nick Kurtz went 3-for-3, with two walks.
A’s are 11-5 when Jacob Lopez starts on the mound.
A’s are 15-8 in their last 23 games overall.
— Orioles 4, Red Sox 3 (11)
Rookie C Basallo knocked in winning run in top of the 11th.
Newly-acquired Nathaniel Lowe tied game in the 9th inning for Boston.
Red Sox are 4-8 in their last dozen games.
— Royals 5, Rangers 2
Bobby Witt Jr hit his 100th career home run.
Royals have won five games in a row.
Rangers lost 10 of their last 12 games.
— If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Cubs, Mets, Padres.
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Mariners, Red Sox
WNBA
Wednesday, August 20
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dallas Wings
Dallas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Dallas is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Dallas is 4-21 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Los Angeles is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Los Angeles's last 8 games
Los Angeles is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Los Angeles is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, August 20
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dallas Wings
Dallas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Dallas is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Dallas is 4-21 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Los Angeles is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Los Angeles's last 8 games
Los Angeles is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Los Angeles is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WNBA BEST BETS FOR AUGUST !
08/20/2025....................2 - 0 - 0.......................100.00%............+ 10.00
08/19/2025....................3 - 3 - 1.......................50.00%..............- 1.50
08/17/225......................5 - 4 - 1.........................55.55%..............+ 3.00
08/15/2025....................5 - 3 - 1........................62.50%.............+ 8.50
08/13/2025....................4 - 1 - 1........................80.00%.............+14.50
08/11/2025....................0 -2 - 0.........................00.00%.............- 11.00
08/10/2025....................0 - 4 - 0........................00.00%..............- 22.00
08/09/2025....................2 - 2 - 0........................50.00%..............- 1.00
08/08/2025....................3 -3 - 0.........................50.00%...............- 1.50
08/07/2025....................3 - 3 - 0........................50.00%................- 1.50
08/06/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%...............- 11.00
08/05/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/03/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/02/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%................- 11.00
08/01/2025....................4 - 4 - 0........................50.00%................- 2.00
TOTALS.......................43 - 41 - 4.......................51.19%..................- 10.50
********************************************************************************
BEST BETS BY MONTHS
JULY TOTALS......................69 -50 - 6..................57.98%................+ 70.00
JUNE TOTALS....................58 - 52 - 1..................52.72%................+ 19.50
MAY TOTALS......................39 - 22 - 0..................63.93%................+ 68.50
08/20/2025....................2 - 0 - 0.......................100.00%............+ 10.00
08/19/2025....................3 - 3 - 1.......................50.00%..............- 1.50
08/17/225......................5 - 4 - 1.........................55.55%..............+ 3.00
08/15/2025....................5 - 3 - 1........................62.50%.............+ 8.50
08/13/2025....................4 - 1 - 1........................80.00%.............+14.50
08/11/2025....................0 -2 - 0.........................00.00%.............- 11.00
08/10/2025....................0 - 4 - 0........................00.00%..............- 22.00
08/09/2025....................2 - 2 - 0........................50.00%..............- 1.00
08/08/2025....................3 -3 - 0.........................50.00%...............- 1.50
08/07/2025....................3 - 3 - 0........................50.00%................- 1.50
08/06/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%...............- 11.00
08/05/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/03/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/02/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%................- 11.00
08/01/2025....................4 - 4 - 0........................50.00%................- 2.00
TOTALS.......................43 - 41 - 4.......................51.19%..................- 10.50
********************************************************************************
BEST BETS BY MONTHS
JULY TOTALS......................69 -50 - 6..................57.98%................+ 70.00
JUNE TOTALS....................58 - 52 - 1..................52.72%................+ 19.50
MAY TOTALS......................39 - 22 - 0..................63.93%................+ 68.50
Thursday’s 6-pack:
Last six #1 QB’s for the New Jersey Jets:
2024— Aaron Rodgers
2021-23— Zach Wilson
2018-20— Sam Darnold
2017— Josh McCown
2015-16— Ryan Fitzpatrick
2013-14— Geno Smith
Quote of the Day
“A lot of people don’t know this, but my dad, he’s my righthand man. He didn’t even have running water until he was in high school. There’s definitely a lot of things — and people — that I could certainly help with this gift I’ve been blessed with. Little things like that, I don’t really even know anybody back at home that doesn’t need money. It feels good. It’s certainly a weight off my shoulders, my family’s shoulders. It definitely means a lot.”
Bears’ backup QB Tyson Bagent, who got a $10M contract this week
Thursday’s quiz
Who is the all-time leader in passing yards for Notre Dame football?
Wednesday’s quiz
Ron Jawlorski played QB for the Philadelphia Eagles, first time they played in a Super Bowl.
Tuesday’s quiz
In the 1998 movie Bulworth, Warren Beatty played a suicidal politician who takes a contract out on himself, but then falls in love with the woman hired to kill him (Halle Berry).
****************************************************
Reid now has bulletproof glass protecting him in the office.
— New Orleans Saints are only NFL team that hasn’t named its starting QB for Week 1; Spencer Rattler (0-6 as a starter LY) and 25-year old rookie Tyler Shough are the candidates. Kellen Moore is in his first year as a head coach; he’s taking his time with this decision.
— Atlanta Falcons aren’t expected to use QB’s Michael Penix/Kirk Cousins in their preseason finale in Dallas Friday; #3 QB Emory Jones is in concussion protocol, so Atlanta signed Ben DiNucci to play this week’s game, and maybe more.
DiNucci played in three games with the Cowboys in 2020; since then, he played in the XFL in 2023, has been on practice squads for the Falcons, Saints and Buffalo.
— Cincinnati Bengals are spending 39% of their salary cap this year on QB’s/WR’s, more than any other NFL team.
— Chicago Bears signed backup QB Tyson Bagent for two years, $10M; Agent was 2-2 as a starter for the Bears in 2023— he played college ball at Shepherd College in West Virginia.
— Mets’ OF Juan Soto has 30 home runs, 20 stolen bases this season; before this year, the most bases he ever stole in one season was 12, in 2019/2023.
— Congrats to Jimmy Vaccaro, who has retired after 50 years as a Las Vegas bookmaker; most recently, he was working at South Point in Las Vegas. He turns 80 years old in October.
I met Jimmy Vaccaro at South Point a few years ago; good guy, he was cleaning up papers on the sportsbook floor at South Point. We talked for a few minutes; his sportsbook was a fun place to hang out and watch games. We wish him well.
— Famous birthdays, August 21st:
Willie Lanier, 80
Archie Griffin, 71
Gary Hogeboom, 67
Jim McMahon, 66
Craig Counsell, 55
Jesse Chavez, 42
BJ Upton, 41
JD Martinez, 38
Brandon Drury, 33
Mike Evans, 32
Ryan Pepiot, 28
Corbin Carroll, 25
Today would’ve been the great Wilt Chamberlain’s 89th birthday.
— Tigers 7, Astros 2
Detroit scored six runs in the first inning.
Tigers are 9-2 in their last eleven games.
Astros scored total of two runs in their last four games.
— Braves 1, White Sox 0
Atlanta won 11-10 Tuesday, then won this game in a totally opposite way.
Huston Waldrep struck out seven guys in 7 IP.
Both teams had four hits; the only run scored on an error.
— Nationals 5, Mets 4
Josh Bell hit his 16th home run for the Nationals.
Brandon Nimmo left the game with a stiff neck.
Washington’s bullpen got the last 11 outs, allowing only two baserunners.
— Angels 2, Reds 1
Luis Rengifo had the game-winning hit in the 8th inning.
Yusei Kikuchi tossed seven IP, allowed only seven baserunners.
Cincinnati remains a game behind the Mets for the NL’s last Wild Card slot.
— Phillies 11, Mariners 2
Trey Turner went 5-for-6, scored three runs.
Kyle Schwarber went 3-for-5, drove in five runs.
Mariners have lost seven of their last eight games.
— New York 6, Tampa Bay 4 (10)
Giancarlo Stanton hit a pinch-hit home run in the 10th inning.
New York hit five home runs, has hit 14 the last two games.
Rays had tied the game with two runs in ninth inning.
— A’s 4, Twins 2 (10)
Shea Langeliers hit a 2-run homer in the 10th inning.
Langeliers has hit 16 of his 28 home runs since the All-Star break.
A’s are 16-8 in their last 24 games overall.
— If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Cubs, Mets, Padres.
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Mariners, Red Sox
Last six #1 QB’s for the New Jersey Jets:
2024— Aaron Rodgers
2021-23— Zach Wilson
2018-20— Sam Darnold
2017— Josh McCown
2015-16— Ryan Fitzpatrick
2013-14— Geno Smith
Quote of the Day
“A lot of people don’t know this, but my dad, he’s my righthand man. He didn’t even have running water until he was in high school. There’s definitely a lot of things — and people — that I could certainly help with this gift I’ve been blessed with. Little things like that, I don’t really even know anybody back at home that doesn’t need money. It feels good. It’s certainly a weight off my shoulders, my family’s shoulders. It definitely means a lot.”
Bears’ backup QB Tyson Bagent, who got a $10M contract this week
Thursday’s quiz
Who is the all-time leader in passing yards for Notre Dame football?
Wednesday’s quiz
Ron Jawlorski played QB for the Philadelphia Eagles, first time they played in a Super Bowl.
Tuesday’s quiz
In the 1998 movie Bulworth, Warren Beatty played a suicidal politician who takes a contract out on himself, but then falls in love with the woman hired to kill him (Halle Berry).
****************************************************
Thursday’s Den: Doing some thinking out loud…….
— Disturbing report in the news tonight; on May 4, 2024, a shot was fired from outside the Chiefs’ facility in Kansas City, went through the glass of Andy Reid’s office and lodged into a wall about 15 feet from where Reid was sitting shortly after midnight local time.Reid now has bulletproof glass protecting him in the office.
— New Orleans Saints are only NFL team that hasn’t named its starting QB for Week 1; Spencer Rattler (0-6 as a starter LY) and 25-year old rookie Tyler Shough are the candidates. Kellen Moore is in his first year as a head coach; he’s taking his time with this decision.
— Atlanta Falcons aren’t expected to use QB’s Michael Penix/Kirk Cousins in their preseason finale in Dallas Friday; #3 QB Emory Jones is in concussion protocol, so Atlanta signed Ben DiNucci to play this week’s game, and maybe more.
DiNucci played in three games with the Cowboys in 2020; since then, he played in the XFL in 2023, has been on practice squads for the Falcons, Saints and Buffalo.
— Cincinnati Bengals are spending 39% of their salary cap this year on QB’s/WR’s, more than any other NFL team.
— Chicago Bears signed backup QB Tyson Bagent for two years, $10M; Agent was 2-2 as a starter for the Bears in 2023— he played college ball at Shepherd College in West Virginia.
— Mets’ OF Juan Soto has 30 home runs, 20 stolen bases this season; before this year, the most bases he ever stole in one season was 12, in 2019/2023.
— Congrats to Jimmy Vaccaro, who has retired after 50 years as a Las Vegas bookmaker; most recently, he was working at South Point in Las Vegas. He turns 80 years old in October.
I met Jimmy Vaccaro at South Point a few years ago; good guy, he was cleaning up papers on the sportsbook floor at South Point. We talked for a few minutes; his sportsbook was a fun place to hang out and watch games. We wish him well.
— Famous birthdays, August 21st:
Willie Lanier, 80
Archie Griffin, 71
Gary Hogeboom, 67
Jim McMahon, 66
Craig Counsell, 55
Jesse Chavez, 42
BJ Upton, 41
JD Martinez, 38
Brandon Drury, 33
Mike Evans, 32
Ryan Pepiot, 28
Corbin Carroll, 25
Today would’ve been the great Wilt Chamberlain’s 89th birthday.
— Tigers 7, Astros 2
Detroit scored six runs in the first inning.
Tigers are 9-2 in their last eleven games.
Astros scored total of two runs in their last four games.
— Braves 1, White Sox 0
Atlanta won 11-10 Tuesday, then won this game in a totally opposite way.
Huston Waldrep struck out seven guys in 7 IP.
Both teams had four hits; the only run scored on an error.
— Nationals 5, Mets 4
Josh Bell hit his 16th home run for the Nationals.
Brandon Nimmo left the game with a stiff neck.
Washington’s bullpen got the last 11 outs, allowing only two baserunners.
— Angels 2, Reds 1
Luis Rengifo had the game-winning hit in the 8th inning.
Yusei Kikuchi tossed seven IP, allowed only seven baserunners.
Cincinnati remains a game behind the Mets for the NL’s last Wild Card slot.
— Phillies 11, Mariners 2
Trey Turner went 5-for-6, scored three runs.
Kyle Schwarber went 3-for-5, drove in five runs.
Mariners have lost seven of their last eight games.
— New York 6, Tampa Bay 4 (10)
Giancarlo Stanton hit a pinch-hit home run in the 10th inning.
New York hit five home runs, has hit 14 the last two games.
Rays had tied the game with two runs in ninth inning.
— A’s 4, Twins 2 (10)
Shea Langeliers hit a 2-run homer in the 10th inning.
Langeliers has hit 16 of his 28 home runs since the All-Star break.
A’s are 16-8 in their last 24 games overall.
— If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Cubs, Mets, Padres.
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Mariners, Red Sox
WNBA
Thursday, August 21
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago Sky
Chicago is 2-12 ATS in its last 14 games
Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
New York Liberty
New York is 2-9-1 ATS in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New York's last 9 games
New York is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games at home
New York is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games at home
Washington Mystics
Washington is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
Washington is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing Connecticut
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Connecticut
Washington is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Connecticut
Connecticut Sun
Connecticut is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Connecticut is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Connecticut's last 9 games
Connecticut is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Connecticut's last 5 games when playing Washington
Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games on the road
Atlanta Dream
Atlanta is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Atlanta is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games
Atlanta is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Atlanta's last 10 games at home
Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Phoenix is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Phoenix's last 15 games
Phoenix is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Phoenix is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Las Vegas Aces
Las Vegas is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Las Vegas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Las Vegas's last 6 games
Las Vegas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Las Vegas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
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Thursday, August 21
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Trend Report
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Chicago Sky
Chicago is 2-12 ATS in its last 14 games
Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
New York Liberty
New York is 2-9-1 ATS in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New York's last 9 games
New York is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games at home
New York is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games at home
Washington Mystics
Washington is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
Washington is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing Connecticut
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Connecticut
Washington is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Connecticut
Connecticut Sun
Connecticut is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Connecticut is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Connecticut's last 9 games
Connecticut is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Connecticut's last 5 games when playing Washington
Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games on the road
Atlanta Dream
Atlanta is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Atlanta is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games
Atlanta is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Atlanta's last 10 games at home
Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Phoenix is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Phoenix's last 15 games
Phoenix is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Phoenix is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Las Vegas Aces
Las Vegas is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Las Vegas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Las Vegas's last 6 games
Las Vegas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Las Vegas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WNBA BEST BETS FOR AUGUST !
08/21/2025....................3 - 5 - 0.........................37.50%............- 12.50
08/20/2025....................2 - 0 - 0.......................100.00%............+ 10.00
08/19/2025....................3 - 3 - 1.......................50.00%..............- 1.50
08/17/225......................5 - 4 - 1.........................55.55%..............+ 3.00
08/15/2025....................5 - 3 - 1........................62.50%.............+ 8.50
08/13/2025....................4 - 1 - 1........................80.00%.............+14.50
08/11/2025....................0 -2 - 0.........................00.00%.............- 11.00
08/10/2025....................0 - 4 - 0........................00.00%..............- 22.00
08/09/2025....................2 - 2 - 0........................50.00%..............- 1.00
08/08/2025....................3 -3 - 0.........................50.00%...............- 1.50
08/07/2025....................3 - 3 - 0........................50.00%................- 1.50
08/06/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%...............- 11.00
08/05/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/03/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/02/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%................- 11.00
08/01/2025....................4 - 4 - 0........................50.00%................- 2.00
TOTALS.......................46 - 46 - 4.......................50.00%..................-23.00
********************************************************************************
BEST BETS BY MONTHS
JULY TOTALS......................69 -50 - 6..................57.98%................+ 70.00
JUNE TOTALS....................58 - 52 - 1..................52.72%................+ 19.50
MAY TOTALS......................39 - 22 - 0..................63.93%................+ 68.50
08/21/2025....................3 - 5 - 0.........................37.50%............- 12.50
08/20/2025....................2 - 0 - 0.......................100.00%............+ 10.00
08/19/2025....................3 - 3 - 1.......................50.00%..............- 1.50
08/17/225......................5 - 4 - 1.........................55.55%..............+ 3.00
08/15/2025....................5 - 3 - 1........................62.50%.............+ 8.50
08/13/2025....................4 - 1 - 1........................80.00%.............+14.50
08/11/2025....................0 -2 - 0.........................00.00%.............- 11.00
08/10/2025....................0 - 4 - 0........................00.00%..............- 22.00
08/09/2025....................2 - 2 - 0........................50.00%..............- 1.00
08/08/2025....................3 -3 - 0.........................50.00%...............- 1.50
08/07/2025....................3 - 3 - 0........................50.00%................- 1.50
08/06/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%...............- 11.00
08/05/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/03/2025....................6 - 4 - 0........................60.00%...............+ 8.00
08/02/2025....................0 - 2 - 0........................00.00%................- 11.00
08/01/2025....................4 - 4 - 0........................50.00%................- 2.00
TOTALS.......................46 - 46 - 4.......................50.00%..................-23.00
********************************************************************************
BEST BETS BY MONTHS
JULY TOTALS......................69 -50 - 6..................57.98%................+ 70.00
JUNE TOTALS....................58 - 52 - 1..................52.72%................+ 19.50
MAY TOTALS......................39 - 22 - 0..................63.93%................+ 68.50
Friday’s 6-pack:
Last six head coaches for the Las Vegas Raiders:
2011— Hue Jackson, 8-8
2012-14— Dennis Allen, 8-28
2015-17— Jack Del Rio, 25-23
2018-21— Jon Gruden, 22-31
2022-23— Josh McDaniels, 9-16
2023-24— Antonio Pierce, 9-17
2025- Pete Carroll
Quote of the Day
“Adding a ninth SEC game underscores our universities’ commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in the nation. This format protects rivalries, increases competitive balance, and paired with our requirement to play an additional Power opponent, ensures SEC teams are well prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff.”
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey
Friday’s quiz
QB Peyton Manning was first pick in the 1998 NFL Draft; which QB was the 2nd pick?
Thursday’s quiz
Brady Quinn is the all-time leader in passing yards for Notre Dame football.
Wednesday’s quiz
Ron Jaworski played QB for the Philadelphia Eagles, first time they played in a Super Bowl.
**************************************
Under the new format, each team will face every other SEC program at least once every two years and every opponent home and away over four years. Each school will play three of its rivals every year.
— Over/under bet for this season:
Vikings’ QB JJ McCarthy, who was hurt last year and didn’t play, his over/under for passing yards this season is 3,600.5 yards.
Last year, Sam Darnold threw for 4,319 yards for Minnesota in their 14-3 season.
— Jacksonville Jaguars hired Liam Coen as its new head coach; he is seen as an offensive guru and QB Trevor Lawrence needs one of those.
Lawrence’s salary cap hit in 2026 is $39M, in 2027 it is $29M; Jaguars really need him to be the leader they expect him to be.
— Speaking of salary cap hits, Baltimore Ravens’ front office has some accounting to do; in 2026, Lamar Jackson’s cap hit is $74.5M, then in 2027, it will also be $74.5M, a huge amount of $$$. At some point, they need to spread that money out somehow.
— Steelers 19, Panthers 10
Game was tied 10-10 at halftime.
Steelers averaged 7.2 yards per play, Carolina 4.0.
Rookie K Ben Sauls kicked four field goals.
— GM of the Panthers Dan Morgan was in the TV booth during this game; he was saying how these practices against other teams during the week are really valuable. He said he wished they had them back when he played.
To an extent, it makes the actual exhibition games a little less relevant, but it helps the teams get better with less injury risk for the star players.
— Giants 42, Patriots 10
Giants led 14-10 at halftime.
QB DeVito was 17-20/198 passing, with three TD’s.
Undrafted QB Ben Woolridge played the whole game for New England.
— Famous birthdays, August 22nd:
Carl Yastrzemski, 86
Paul Molitor, 69
Wes Chandler, 69
Ty Burrell, 58
James Corden, 47
Adam Thielen, 35
Randall Cobb, 35
Maxx Crosby, 28
LaMelo Ball, 24
— Cincinnati Reds’ C Tyler Stephenson broke his thumb, is out for the year.
— Nationals 9, Mets 3
Mets led this game 3-0 in fourth inning.
James Wood hit his 26th home run, just his 2nd since the All-Star break.
New York is 5-16 in its last 21 games; they lead the Reds by half a game for the last Wild Card in the National League.
— Brewers 4, Cubs 1
Brice Turang homered, his 8th home run in 18 games.
Brewers’ bullpen got 13 outs, didn’t allow a run.
Cubs went 3-2 in this series, they trail Milwaukee by 7 games in NL Central.
— Red Sox 6, New York 3
Roman Anthony homered, knocked in three runs.
New York made four errors, gave up three unearned runs.
Red Sox are 6-1 against New York this season.
— Astros 7, Orioles 2
Jesus Sanchez went 5-for-5; he entered the game on an 0-for-29 skid.
Christian Walker, Yainer Diaz homered for the Astros.
Dylan Beavers hit his first MLB home run for the Orioles.
— A’s 8, Twins 3
Tyler Soderstrom went 4-for-4, has a 19-game hitting streak.
Minnesota is 2-7 in its last nine games.
A’s are 17-8 in their last 25 games.
— Royals 6, Rangers 4
Vinnie Pasquantino has homered in four straight games.
Royals have won six of their last seven games.
Royals trail Seattle by two games for the AL’s last Wild Card slot.
— Padres 8, Giants 4
Manny Machado drove in three runs for San Diego.
Padres trail the Dodgers by a game in the NL West.
Justin Verlander is 1-10, 4.64 this season.
Last six head coaches for the Las Vegas Raiders:
2011— Hue Jackson, 8-8
2012-14— Dennis Allen, 8-28
2015-17— Jack Del Rio, 25-23
2018-21— Jon Gruden, 22-31
2022-23— Josh McDaniels, 9-16
2023-24— Antonio Pierce, 9-17
2025- Pete Carroll
Quote of the Day
“Adding a ninth SEC game underscores our universities’ commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in the nation. This format protects rivalries, increases competitive balance, and paired with our requirement to play an additional Power opponent, ensures SEC teams are well prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff.”
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey
Friday’s quiz
QB Peyton Manning was first pick in the 1998 NFL Draft; which QB was the 2nd pick?
Thursday’s quiz
Brady Quinn is the all-time leader in passing yards for Notre Dame football.
Wednesday’s quiz
Ron Jaworski played QB for the Philadelphia Eagles, first time they played in a Super Bowl.
**************************************
Friday’s Den: Random stuff with the weekend here…….
— SEC football is moving to a nine-game conference schedule next year, which should help get more of its teams into the College Football Playoff.Under the new format, each team will face every other SEC program at least once every two years and every opponent home and away over four years. Each school will play three of its rivals every year.
— Over/under bet for this season:
Vikings’ QB JJ McCarthy, who was hurt last year and didn’t play, his over/under for passing yards this season is 3,600.5 yards.
Last year, Sam Darnold threw for 4,319 yards for Minnesota in their 14-3 season.
— Jacksonville Jaguars hired Liam Coen as its new head coach; he is seen as an offensive guru and QB Trevor Lawrence needs one of those.
Lawrence’s salary cap hit in 2026 is $39M, in 2027 it is $29M; Jaguars really need him to be the leader they expect him to be.
— Speaking of salary cap hits, Baltimore Ravens’ front office has some accounting to do; in 2026, Lamar Jackson’s cap hit is $74.5M, then in 2027, it will also be $74.5M, a huge amount of $$$. At some point, they need to spread that money out somehow.
— Steelers 19, Panthers 10
Game was tied 10-10 at halftime.
Steelers averaged 7.2 yards per play, Carolina 4.0.
Rookie K Ben Sauls kicked four field goals.
— GM of the Panthers Dan Morgan was in the TV booth during this game; he was saying how these practices against other teams during the week are really valuable. He said he wished they had them back when he played.
To an extent, it makes the actual exhibition games a little less relevant, but it helps the teams get better with less injury risk for the star players.
— Giants 42, Patriots 10
Giants led 14-10 at halftime.
QB DeVito was 17-20/198 passing, with three TD’s.
Undrafted QB Ben Woolridge played the whole game for New England.
— Famous birthdays, August 22nd:
Carl Yastrzemski, 86
Paul Molitor, 69
Wes Chandler, 69
Ty Burrell, 58
James Corden, 47
Adam Thielen, 35
Randall Cobb, 35
Maxx Crosby, 28
LaMelo Ball, 24
— Cincinnati Reds’ C Tyler Stephenson broke his thumb, is out for the year.
— Nationals 9, Mets 3
Mets led this game 3-0 in fourth inning.
James Wood hit his 26th home run, just his 2nd since the All-Star break.
New York is 5-16 in its last 21 games; they lead the Reds by half a game for the last Wild Card in the National League.
— Brewers 4, Cubs 1
Brice Turang homered, his 8th home run in 18 games.
Brewers’ bullpen got 13 outs, didn’t allow a run.
Cubs went 3-2 in this series, they trail Milwaukee by 7 games in NL Central.
— Red Sox 6, New York 3
Roman Anthony homered, knocked in three runs.
New York made four errors, gave up three unearned runs.
Red Sox are 6-1 against New York this season.
— Astros 7, Orioles 2
Jesus Sanchez went 5-for-5; he entered the game on an 0-for-29 skid.
Christian Walker, Yainer Diaz homered for the Astros.
Dylan Beavers hit his first MLB home run for the Orioles.
— A’s 8, Twins 3
Tyler Soderstrom went 4-for-4, has a 19-game hitting streak.
Minnesota is 2-7 in its last nine games.
A’s are 17-8 in their last 25 games.
— Royals 6, Rangers 4
Vinnie Pasquantino has homered in four straight games.
Royals have won six of their last seven games.
Royals trail Seattle by two games for the AL’s last Wild Card slot.
— Padres 8, Giants 4
Manny Machado drove in three runs for San Diego.
Padres trail the Dodgers by a game in the NL West.
Justin Verlander is 1-10, 4.64 this season.
WNBA
Friday, August 22
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Indiana Fever
Indiana is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Indiana is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Indiana is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Indiana is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Indiana is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Seattle Storm
Seattle is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games
Seattle is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games
Seattle is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games on the road
Dallas Wings
Dallas is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Dallas is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Dallas's last 9 games at home
Dallas is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Seattle
Golden State Valkyries
Golden State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Golden State is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Golden State's last 15 games
Golden State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Golden State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Phoenix is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Phoenix's last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games at home
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Friday, August 22
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Indiana Fever
Indiana is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Indiana is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Indiana is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Indiana is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Indiana is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Seattle Storm
Seattle is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games
Seattle is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games
Seattle is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games on the road
Dallas Wings
Dallas is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Dallas is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Dallas's last 9 games at home
Dallas is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Seattle
Golden State Valkyries
Golden State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Golden State is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Golden State's last 15 games
Golden State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Golden State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Phoenix is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Phoenix's last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games at home
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