Politics : Trump Still Potent After Poor Debate

Despite a poor performance in the first presidential debate, Donald Trump hasn't given back all that much of the support he's gained over the past month. At press time, Trump is +200 to win the presidency; the Republicans were +250 in early September. Hillary Clinton is the –275 favorite, while “Other” is available at +1600.

After the conventions, Trump found himself losing ground in a number of “swing” states, but those states have turned red over the past month. Monday's debate at Hofstra University was another opportunity for viewers to see what Trump is made of, but two days later, he remained ahead – just barely – in Florida, Ohio, Nevada and North Carolina.

Those states could definitely turn blue again after more recent polls are in. And there are two more presidential debates coming up: October 9 at Washington University in St. Louis, and October 19 at UNLV. Trump has essentially played his hand as a “non-serious” candidate in the eyes of his critics, but his base of white voters aged 45-plus with no college education remains strong. Still, it will take another Clinton faux pas, and perhaps some outside interference, for the Republicans to win this race.

Politics Odds: Trump Hanging Around Post-Debate
Hillary Clinton “won” the first presidential debate on Monday, but Donald Trump hasn't lost much ground in the polls – yet. He remains a +200 underdog at press time to win the US presidential election, up from +250 in early September. Clinton is –275, with “Other” priced at +1600.

It's entirely possible Trump will fall further behind once more recent polls come in. His performance at the debate was anything but presidential; however, Trump remains ahead for now in key “swing” states like Florida and Ohio. Their next debate is October 9 at Washington University in St. Louis.

NFL : Bell Returns as Steelers Host Chiefs

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have one of their best players back on the field this Sunday night (8:30 PM ET, NBC) when running back Le'Veon Bell makes his season debut against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers opened as 5.5-point favorites before moving to –6 in early betting.

Bell was suspended for the first three games of the 2016 campaign after missing a drug test, and he played just six games last year for the Steelers (2-1 SU and ATS) before tearing his MCL, so he might be a bit rusty on Sunday. So will RB Jamaal Charles – if the Chiefs (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) decide to use him. Charles hasn't played since Week 5 of last year because of a torn ACL; he's listed as week-to-week.

The Steelers are coming off a painful 34-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles (+4.5 at home) that saw several players leave the field. There are mixed reports at press time, but LB Ryan Shazier (knee), LG Ramon Foster (chest) and WR Eli Rogers (toe) have all been termed “very questionable” for Sunday by head coach Mike Tomlin. Safety Robert Golden (hamstring) could end up missing several games for Pittsburgh.

NFL Odds: Bell Is Back, But Steelers in Trouble Against Chiefs
The Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1 SU and ATS) will have former Pro Bowl RB Le'Veon Bell in uniform for this week's Sunday Night Football clash against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS), starting at 8:30 PM ET on NBC. But it's who won't be in uniform that could make Pittsburgh a strong fade candidate at –6.

Early indications are mixed, but several players could end up missing Sunday's game for the Steelers, including LB Ryan Shazier (knee) and safety Robert Golden (hamstring) on defense, plus LG Ramon Foster (chest) and WR Eli Rogers (toe) on offense.

NFL : Chiefs Head to Pittsburgh in Big AFC Battle

Week 4 of the NFL season kicks off this week and one of the key matchups is scheduled for Sunday Night Football. The Kansas City Chiefs travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers (-6) in a battle of 2-1 teams that have high hopes in the AFC.

The Chiefs dominated the New York Jets in a 24-3 romp, all thanks the Kansas City’s defense, which picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick six times and forced eight turnovers overall. Alex Smith was 25-of-33 for 237 yards and a touchdown, but this game belonged to the defense, who didn't even have to register a sack with all those turnovers.

The Steelers, on the other hand, didn't have a great week. They lost by 31 points in Philadelphia, where the Eagles racked up 426 yards of offense. Ben Roethlisberger was 24-of-44 for 257 yards and a pick with no touchdowns. While Antonio Brown had 12 catches for 140 yards, the Eagles didn't give him enough space for big plays.

Pittsburgh has won three of their last five against the Chiefs, who have lost five in a row in Pittsburgh. Their last road win against the Steelers came back on December 21, 1986.

NFL Odds: Steelers Host Chiefs in Week 4 Matchup
A pair of 2-1 teams step into the spotlight in Week 4 as the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-point favourites) host the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs routed the New York Jets 24-3 while the Steelers were on the wrong side of a 34-3 beating from Philadelphia. Both teams have high hopes for a big season and games like this could go far in deciding their playoff fate. The Steelers have won five straight at home against the Chiefs, who last won in Pittsburgh in 1986. The Steelers have covered the spread in eight of their last 11 against teams with a winning record.

MLB : Arrieta Looks for 19th Win Against Pirates

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta is aiming for his 19th win of the season on Wednesday when the Pittsburgh Pirates host them for Game 3 of a four-game series. The Pirates have an agenda of their own; they’re trying to stay in the wild-card hunt in the National League. The two clash on Wednesday at 7:05 PM ET in Pittsburgh.

Arrieta (18-7, 2.85) is coming off a fantastic outing in a 5-0 shutout of the St. Louis Cardinals. The reigning Cy Young winner tossed a five-hitter over seven innings, striking out 10 with a single walk. He heads into this game with a solid record against the Pirates this season – 3-1 in five starts with a 3.78 ERA. On the road this season, Arrieta is 11-2 in 14 starts with a 3.11 ERA.

Jameson Taillon (4-4, 3.49) took a no-decision in a 6-5 win at home over Washington, giving up three runs on six hits over five innings, striking out seven with no walks. However, the 24-year-old struggled against the Cubs in his lone start against them, lasting just four innings while giving up four runs on eight hits in a 10-5 loss in Chicago on June 19. At home, Taillon is 1-2 in 10 starts this season, posting an ERA of 3.00.

MLB Odds: Cubs, Pirates Clash on Wednesday
Wednesday takes the spotlight to the National League Central, where the Chicago Cubs have locked up the title. They can, however, play spoiler against the rival Pittsburgh Pirates, who are still in the hunt for the wild-card. The game starts at 7:05 PM ET.

The Cubs go with Jake Arrieta, who is going for his 19th win of the season and already has three against the Pirates in five starts this season. The Pirates counter with Jameson Taillon, who has faced the Cubs once this season in a 10-5 loss.

MLB : Blue Jays Host Orioles with Wild Cards at Stake

Just six games remain in the 2016 season, and the Toronto Blue Jays (86-70, –7.81 units) will play half of them against their closest rivals in the AL Wild Card race, the Baltimore Orioles (85-71, +12.65 units). Game 2 of their three-game series takes place Wednesday at 7:07 PM ET on Sportsnet, with Francisco Liriano pitching for Toronto against Chris Tillman.

The Jays are 9-7 against Baltimore this year, winning each of their last two series 2-1. But this is the first time that Liriano (4.48 FIP for Toronto) will have faced the Orioles since coming over from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline. He's pitched three straight quality starts for Toronto to improve his team record to 4-3, good enough for 0.60 units in profit.

Tillman (4.22 FIP) has made considerably more money than that. The Orioles are 21-8 in his 29 starts for 13.18 betting units; only four MLB pitchers have generated more profit this year. The under is also 20-9 with Tillman on the mound, and 6-1 behind Liriano as a Blue Jay. However, current Baltimore batters have a combined .970 lifetime OPS against Liriano, mostly from his time with the Minnesota Twins.

MLB Odds: Orioles-Jays in Wild Card Clash
If the regular season ended now, the Toronto Blue Jays (86-70, –7.81 units) and Baltimore Orioles (85-71, +12.65 units) would make the playoffs as AL Wild Cards. But they have to play the next three games against each other, including Game 2 this Wednesday (7:07 PM ET, SNET) at Rogers Centre.

Francisco Liriano (4.48 FIP as a Jay) is scheduled to start for Toronto against Chris Tillman (4.22 FIP), who's been something of a good-luck charm for the O's this year. They're 21-8 with Tillman on the mound, earning 13.18 betting units; the Jays are 4-3 behind Liriano (+0.60 units).

Entertainment : Brad Pitt vs. Johnny Depp in Race to Altar

Hollywood was turned upside-down on Tuesday when lawyers for Angelina Jolie announced she was filing for divorce from Brad Pitt. Not long after the story broke, betting odds were released for the soon-to-be bachelor and what his future marital plans may hold. Also included on the entertainment props board: Johnny Depp, who reached a settlement last month with ex-wife Amber Heard after she filed for divorce in May.

Who will these former leading actors marry next? In Pitt's case, there are two betting options at press time: Actress at –130 and Other at –110. For Depp, Actress remains the favorite at –140, followed by Model (+175), Singer (+300) and Athlete (+900). You can also bet on which gentleman will remarry first. Depp is the heavy favorite at –200 to reach the altar before Pitt (+150).

A Bloomberg report from this February shows that actors are very likely to marry within their own profession, so Actress is the likely choice for both Pitt and Depp – although they might have other ideas now that they're both in their early 50s and twice-divorced. As for the race to remarry, Depp is eligible right now, while Pitt's status is “Separated.”

Entertainment Odds: What's Next for Brad Pitt (and Johnny Depp)?
Now that Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, he and recently-dumped Johnny Depp are feature attractions on the entertainment props board. Who will remarry first, and will they try tying the knot again with other actresses?

When it comes to the timing, Depp is the clear favorite at –200; he's been eligible since mid-August, while Pitt (+150) is still in legal limbo at press time. Both gentlemen are expected to stick within their profession, if they choose to remarry at all. “Actress” is the favorite for Pitt at –130 and Depp at –140.

Casino - American Roulette

There’s something innately satisfying about spinning a roulette wheel at a casino. The excitement of the ball whirling around the wooden wheel has attracted fans of the game since the 18th century. The game started in France and by the 19th century, it spread through Europe and the United States, where a double-zero (00) was introduced.

Now you can play roulette from anywhere. All you need is a laptop, desktop, mobile phone, or tablet, and you can enjoy the adrenaline rush of spinning the roulette wheel without having to go to a physical casino. To top it off, there are no downloads required; it’s all instant-play.

The double-zero (00) is what distinguishes American Roulette from its European counterpart. You can bet on it straight-up for a 35:1 payout, and incorporate it in inside bets such as street bets (11:1 payout) and five bets (6:1 payout). Simply decide how much you want to wager, select your numbers and hit “Spin.” If you feel a hot streak coming on, you can double your bet instantly by clicking the “Double” button.

If you’re new to the game, all roulette wagers can be divided into two categories: the inside bets and outside bets, and this is the case no matter what casino you’re playing at. Inside bets are suited to players who prefer the higher risk/higher reward betting style, whereas outside bets are suited to conservative players who prefer to win smaller but more consistent payouts. When you look at a roulette table, it will be fairly obvious what’s inside and what’s outside.

The roulette betting table has a rectangle that contains the numbers 1-36 and a 0 and 00. When you bet on anything by clicking inside this table, it’s an inside bet. For example, a row of three consecutive numbers or a single (straight-up) number are inside bets. You’ll notice peripheral bet options just outside of the rectangle, such as betting on red or black and betting on dozens. You’re betting on larger groups of numbers here, which results in modest payouts.

Roulette has been a casino favorite for hundreds of years. There are no learning curves, and anyone can jump in by picking a lucky number. Just take a spin, and see where chance takes you.

NFL : Panthers Host Injury-Riddled Vikings in NFC Showdown

The Minnesota Vikings enter their Week 3 visit to the Carolina Panthers at 2-0, but now have to overcome a serious injury.

The Vikings defeated Green Bay 17-14 on Sunday night in their first game in the new US Bank Stadium. Sam Bradford played well in his Minnesota debut, throwing for 286 yards and two touchdowns. However, Adrian Peterson will join Teddy Bridgewater on the sidelines with a knee injury. Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata will split the carries in Peterson's absence.

The Panthers are now 1-1 after a 46-27 win over San Francisco; Cam Newton had a huge game with 353 yards and four touchdowns. While they did bounce back from a Week 1 loss in Denver, the Panthers had four turnovers on the day and the defending NFC champions still have some improving to do on both sides of the ball.

Interestingly enough, while the Vikings are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points, they’re just 1-9 straight up in those contests. Minnesota is 3-2 against the Panthers in their last five meetings – the last of which came in November 2014 when Minnesota won 31-13 at home.

NFL Odds: Panthers, Vikings Headline NFL Week 3
Week 3 in the NFL is upon us and the anchor game features a pair of NFC contenders as the defending champion Carolina Panthers host the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings are the 2-0 team here after beating Green Bay, but Adrian Peterson suffered a knee injury, so Minnesota has to replace their star running back. The Panthers are 1-1 after beating San Francisco, but the defending NFC champs have been sloppy. The Vikings have won three of their last five against the Panthers, most recently in November 2014.

NFL: Panthers 7-Point Favorites in Week 3

As the Minnesota Vikings plan their first week without RB Adrian Peterson, they’ll be up against the defending NFC Champions, the Carolina Panthers. Cam Newton has picked up where he left off last season, throwing for five touchdowns with a 92.7 quarterback rating so far in the 2016 season.

The Vikings come to Carolina sporting an undefeated record through the first two weeks, having defeated Tennessee in Week 1 and the Green Bay Packers in Week 2.

Like the Vikings, the Panthers are without their starting running back for the first time this season. Jonathan Stewart suffered a hamstring injuring in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers and was replaced by backup Fozzy Whittaker, who proceeded to rush for 100 yards in the 46-27 victory. With key injuries to each team’s primary runners, this matchup will likely come down to quarterbacks and team defense.

Through the first two weeks, the Vikings seem to have the edge defensively, ranking fifth best in points conceded per game (15) and fifth in yards against per game (289.5) versus Carolina’s (1-1) 24 points and 304.5 yards against per game.

Although Cam Newton is the more fear-inducing of the two quarterbacks, the Panthers cannot underestimate the Vikings’ Sam Bradford. After being traded eight days before the beginning of regular season from Philadelphia, Bradford led the Vikes to victory over their NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers, 17-14.

NFL Odds: Panthers host Vikings in Week 3
The Panthers are 7-point favorites in Carolina (1 PM ET, FOX) in their Week 3 matchup versus the Minnesota Vikings. Both teams will be without their starting running backs, as Adrian Peterson (meniscus tear) and Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) will be sidelined for at least one week.

Vikings’ newcomer, QB Sam Bradford, will look to build on his first start and win of the season in Week 3. After being traded just eight days before the start of the regular season, Bradford looked sharp against a struggling San Francisco 49ers squad. Cam Newton will look to continue his dominance as rusher and passer extraordinaire, as this matchup will likely come down to execution by quarterbacks and team defense.

MLB : Mariners, Blue Jays Battle to Stay in Playoff Hunt

The Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners are locked in a race for a wild-card spot in the American League. The Blue Jays won the first game of a three game set 3-2 Monday night and will finish off the series in Seattle on Wednesday.

For the Wednesday closer, the Blue Jays will go with Aaron Sanchez (13-2, 3.17 ERA), who was knocked for six runs on five hits over 3.2 innings in an 8-11 home loss to the Boston Red Sox. In an attempt to monitor his innings, management held Sanchez out from his next start. The 24-year-old All-Star might get back on track on the road. Away from home, Sanchez is 8-1 in 15 starts this season with an ERA of 2.62.

Felix Hernandez (11-6, 3.79 ERA) was roughed up for six runs (five earned) on eight hits over 4.1 innings in a 0-6 home loss to Houston in his last start. The 30-year-old former Cy Young winner has now allowed five runs or more in three of his last four starts. Hernandez is 5-3 in 11 home starts with an ERA of 4.10.

MLB Odds: Blue Jays, Mariners Wrap Up Series in Seattle
The Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners are competing for a wild-card spot in the playoffs, and the Jays are off to a head start, winning the first game of a three-game set on Monday. They finish their series on Wednesday.

The Blue Jays will send out Aaron Sanchez on Wednesday. Sanchez hasn’t pitched since September 11 because management is monitoring his innings. Meanwhile, the Mariners will counter with Felix Hernandez. Both pitchers struggled in their last outing, giving up a combined 12 runs. The Blue Jays and Mariners will need their pitchers to step up on Wednesday. Toronto could have the edge because Sanchez has been excellent on the road in 2015 (8-1), and Hernandez has struggled at home.

MLB : Blue Jays look for series win against Seattle

The Toronto Blue Jays (82-68, –8.62 betting units) have been ice cold in September, but they managed to win the first game of a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners (79-71, –0.28 betting units) Monday night. Toronto won 3-2 as +104 visiting favourites; Game No. 2 takes place Tuesday night, starting at 10:10 PM ET on Sportsnet.

The Jays will go for their first series win of September when JA Happ (4.02 FIP) takes the mound in search of his 20th win of the season. He won his last start against the Los Angeles Angels, pitching six innings and giving up just one earned run on three hits to improve to 19-4 on the season. Happ would become the second 20-game winner in the MLB this season, trailing Rick Porcello of the Boston Red Sox.

To be successful, the Blue Jays will have to put up some runs against Hisashi Iwakuma (4.30 FIP). Iwakuma (16-11), who pitched 6.1 innings in his last outing, has arguably been Seattle’s best pitcher in 2016. He leads all Mariners starters in wins (16), innings pitched (186) and strikeouts (132). He last pitched against Toronto on July 23, where he went six innings, and gave up only two earned runs on four hits in a win at the Rogers Centre. With Felix Hernandez underperforming so far this season, Iwakuma may pose the greatest threat for the Jays while in Seattle.

MLB Odds: Happ goes for 20th win Versus Mariners
JA Happ (4.02 FIP) looks to continue his career year on Tuesday, as the Toronto Blue Jays (82-68) look for a second win in Game 2 of three against the Seattle Mariners (79-71). The former Mariner will be gunning for his 20th win of the season, and will try to hold down Robinson Canó and the Seattle Mariners’ offense.

The Jays bats will need to find their stroke against starter Hisashi Iwakuma (4.30 FIP) if they hope to put themselves in a position to sweep Seattle on Wednesday against Felix Hernandez. Sportsnet has the coverage beginning at 10:10 PM ET.

E-Sports: South Korea Favored at LoL Championship

It's no secret that South Korea is the global leader in eSports. Three of the top four favorites for the 2016 League of Legends World Championship hail from there, making South Korea a heavy –250 chalk to bring home the hardware for the fourth straight year. China is second at +275, with North America a distant third at +1200.


The World Championship is being held in the United States this year, starting September 29 in San Francisco and wrapping up October 29 with the final at Staples Center in Los Angeles. This is a 16-team round-robin tournament, broken down into four groups; the favorites, ROX Tigers (+160), are in Group A, while the defending champions and second favorites from SK Telecom T1 (+175) are in Group B. Both teams are based in Seoul.

The top Chinese team, and third on the eSports futures market, is EDward Gaming (+350) in Group C. Samsung Galaxy (+1600), who won the 2014 Championship as Samsung Galaxy White, is the remaining South Korean team in Group D. This is easily the most competitive group of the four, with America's Team SoloMid (+1600) and China's Royal Never Giveup (+1800) also in the mix.

E-Sports Odds: Will SK Telecom T1 Be Dethroned at LoL Championship?
They're the reigning League of Legends World Champions, but SK Telecom T1 are the second-favorites at +175 to claim this year's title, just behind their fellow South Koreans from the ROX Tigers at +160. The 2016 Championship starts September 29 in San Francisco.

With the 2014 champs from Samsung Galaxy (+1600) also among the top favorites, South Korea is a massive –250 chalk to field the winning team. China is next at +275, represented by a strong contingent from Edward Gaming (+350) and another viable contender in Royal Never Giveup (+1800). North America is a distant +1200 outsider.

NCAAF : No. 1 Alabama at No. 19 Ole Miss

So far, so good for the defending champions. The Alabama Crimson Tide have started the 2016 season at 2-0 SU and ATS; this Saturday, they'll be at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford to face the Ole Miss Rebels, starting at 3:30 PM ET on CBS. Alabama is laying 11 points at press time, up from –10 at the open.

The Rebels (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS) could be the right football pick at these odds. They upset Alabama in each of their last two meetings, winning as 5.5-point home dogs in 2014 and 9-point road dogs in 2015. Since Nick Saban took the reins at 'Bama nine years ago, Ole Miss is 2-7 SU and 6-3 ATS against the Tide. That includes 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS under head coach Hugh Freeze.

However, Ole Miss may not have the horses to get the job done this year. DB Ken Webster and RB Eric Sweeney have already been lost to season-ending injuries, and the offensive line is replacing all five starters from 2015. Then again, the Rebels should have the quarterback advantage with senior Chad Kelly matched up against freshman Jalen Hurts, who will be playing in his first away game.

NCAAF Odds: Will Ole Miss Make It Three Straight Versus 'Bama? 
The Ole Miss Rebels did it in 2014, and again in 2015. They'll try for three wins in a row over the Alabama Crimson Tide this Saturday (3:30 PM ET, CBS) at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium; the Tide are laying 11 points at press time after opening at –10.

Alabama will give freshman QB Jalen Hurts his second career start and first on the road, with redshirt freshman Blake Barnett in a supporting role. The Rebels respond with senior Chad Kelly, who threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions in last year's 43-37 win as 9-point road dogs.

NFL : Bengals Visit Steelers in AFC North Showdown

There’s no love lost between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, a pair of AFC North rivals vying for an early leg up in the division race. Their matchup in Pittsburgh highlights the Week 2 card.

The Bengals (1-0) edged the New York Jets 23-22 on the road in their opening game, led by the duo of Andy Dalton and AJ Green. Dalton was sacked seven times and still passed for 366 yards and a score, which went to Green. Green had 12 catches for 180 yards and torched the Jets' Darrelle Revis all day long.

It's a short week for the Steelers (1-0), who routed Washington 38-16 on the road on Monday Night Football. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns – two to Antonio Brown, who had eight receptions for 126 yards. DeAngelo Williams also ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns for the Steelers.

The Steelers have won four of their last five against the Bengals overall and 15 of their last 24 at home with Cincinnati. However, the Bengals have covered the spread in 12 of their last 17 road games.

NFL Odds: Steelers Host Bengals in AFC North Clash
The Pittsburgh Steelers edged the Cincinnati Bengals in the playoffs last season – a memory the Bengals remember well. They’ll be looking for revenge when they meet their rivals in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Both teams won their season openers on the road, with the Steelers winning in Washington and the Bengals winning in New York against the Jets. The Steelers have won seven of the last 10 against the Bengals, and six of their last 10 at home against Cincinnati as well. These two are the favourites in the AFC North, and this game could go a long way in deciding the division champion.

MLB : Blue Jays Back on Track Against Tampa

The Toronto Blue Jays (79-64, –5.68 betting units) have lost each of their last three series, but they're off to a strong start against the Tampa Bay Rays (60-83, –28.23 units). Toronto won Monday's opener 3-2 as –173 home favourites; the finale takes place Wednesday afternoon, starting at 12:37 PM ET on Sportsnet.

The Jays hope they'll get some better results from Marco Estrada (4.28 FIP). He got roughed up in four of his last five starts, dropping Toronto to 13-12 on the season and 3.87 units in debt with Estrada on the mound. Meanwhile, third baseman Josh Donaldson (.952 OPS) is expected to return after taking Monday off to rest. The reigning American League MVP has just three hits in 31 at-bats this month.

Alex Cobb (4.32 FIP) will be making his third start for Tampa Bay since missing most of the last two seasons to Tommy John surgery. Cobb's 2016 debut was an 8-3 victory over Marcus Stroman and the Jays (–158 away); the fourth-year righty gave up two earned runs on four hits through five innings of work. First baseman Logan Morrison (.733 OPS) had a home run for Tampa, but he's on the DL with a strained wrist.

MLB Odds: Marco on the Mound Versus Rays
Marco Estrada (4.28 FIP) hasn't pitched well of late, but the 79-64 Toronto Blue Jays need a quality start this Wednesday afternoon when they host Alex Cobb (4.32 FIP) and the 60-83 Tampa Bay Rays. Sportsnet has the coverage beginning at 12:37 PM ET.

Estrada was touched for five earned runs in five innings when he faced Tampa Bay on September 3; the Blue Jays lost 7-5 as –137 road favourites. One day earlier, Cobb held Toronto to two runs over five innings in his 2016 debut, leading Tampa to an 8-3 win as +143 underdogs.

MLB Odds: Kershaw, Dodgers Visit Pineda, Yankees in New York

The New York Yankees were in the thick of the AL wild-card race going into the week, and they’ll continue it on Wednesday, when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the finale of a three-game series.

The Dodgers will go with Clayton Kershaw (11-3, 1.89), who lasted just three innings in his last outing and took the loss as his team fell 1-4 in Miami. Kershaw was making his first start since June 26 (back injury) and he allowed a pair of runs on five hits with five strikeouts. The three-time Cy Young winner has faced the Yankees twice, taking two no-decisions while posting a 1.20 ERA. This season, the southpaw is 4-2 in nine road starts with a 2.47 ERA.

The Yankees counter with Michael Pineda (6-11, 5.07), who took a no-decision in a 7-5 home win over Tampa Bay. Pineda went 4.2 innings, giving up two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks. He’s facing the Dodgers for the first time in his career. At home this season, he’s 4-4 in 14 starts with a 4.65 ERA.

MLB Odds: Yankees Welcome Dodgers to the Big Apple
Interleague baseball is in the spotlight on Wednesday when the New York Yankees finish a three-game series at home with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Yankees will give the ball to Michael Pineda, who is 0-1 in his last six starts while allowing 16 runs in his last 31 innings of work. The Dodgers will have Clayton Kershaw on the mound and even though he took the loss in his last outing, Dodgers fans were happy to see their three-time Cy Young winner back on the mound. It was his first start since June 26.

Slots - Rise of Poseidon

Rule the High Seas Alongside Poseidon

According to Greek mythology, Poseidon is the ruler of the seas and marine life. Second only to Zeus in terms of power, Poseidon causes massive earthquakes every time he slams his trident into the ground. That Trident shows up as a scatter symbol in Rival Gaming’s newest 5-reel slot, Rise of Poseidon.

The bonus features include a wild (the Poseidon figure) with a 2X multiplier and a scatter symbol (the Trident), which triggers Free Spins Mode. How many free spins you get depends on how many scatter symbols you land. Three is the minimum and nets nine free games. Four gets 18 free spins and five gets 36.

You must be in Free Spins Mode to see the wild Poseidon symbol put on its full display of strength. He expands to fill reels and make them wild when doing so creates a winning line, and it’s quite a sight. Expanding wilds are increasingly sought-after bonus features in the slots world, and if you haven’t played with them yet, you’ll be impressed with how much they benefit your bankroll.

Free Spins Mode can be re-triggered if you land another three scatter icons while spinning for free, allowing you to build a generous amount of free spins if you’re lucky.

The new Rival game offers up to 30 paylines, and you can wager 1 to 10 coins per line. Each coin is worth $0.01, $0.05, $0.10 or $0.25, and the denomination selected usually depends on the size of the bankroll. The maximum jackpot is 10,000 coins, which is multiplied by the amount of coins bet on the winning line. In the case of the maximum $0.25 coins and 10-coin wager, you’re looking at a $25,000 jackpot – an amount Poseidon would be proud of. In the case of the minimum $0.01 coins and 1-coin wager, you’re looking at a $100 jackpot.

Greek mythology fans will flock to this 5-reel game. You can’t go wrong with a Greek god on your side – especially one as powerful as Poseidon

Entertainment : Laurie Hernandez Favored for DWTS

The 13 participants have been named for Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars, and as usual, athletes are among the top favorites on the entertainment futures market. Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez is the biggest chalk of them all at +250; model/actor Amber Rose and rapper Vanilla Ice are well behind at +700.

The winners on this program are decided by a panel of judges and by audience vote, so popularity plays nearly as much of a role as dancing ability. Early seasons of DWTS were dominated by sports figures, but the only athlete among the last eight champions was US figure skater Meryl Davis, who won the Spring 2014 event after claiming gold in ice dancing at the Winter Games in Sochi.

Hernandez could get a similar bump this year after her success at the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, winning gold for the US in the team event and silver on the balance beam. On the other hand, disgraced American swimmer Ryan Lochte (+1000) should find it harder to win over the audience, despite his gold medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay. This season's long shot/sacrificial lamb is Rick Perry, former governor of Texas, at +3300.

Entertainment Odds: From Rio to Dancing with the Stars
After winning a gold and a silver medal at the Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, US gymnast Laurie Hernandez is the heavy +250 favorite at press time to win Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars. Trailing at +700 are model/actor Amber Rose and rapper Vanilla Ice.

Hernandez should have a much better chance of winning DWTS than her Olympic cohort, US swimmer Ryan Lochte (+1000). Even though he also won gold in the pool, and is a familiar face on the reality TV scene, Lochte's profile may have been irreparably damaged by his behavior in Rio.

NFL : Giants 1-Point Favorites Over Cowboys in Week 1

It's always an interesting game when the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys get together. This Sunday's season opener (4:25 PM ET, FOX) in Arlington will be even more interesting; what started as a pick ‘em has turned into the Giants being 1-point favorites.

The Cowboys go into the new season with a rookie quarterback at the controls. It wasn't meant to be this way; Dak Prescott was drafted late in the fourth round as a compensatory pick, and moved up the depth chart following injuries to back-up Kellen Moore (leg) and starter Tony Romo (back). Veteran Mark Sanchez joined the team on Saturday after he was cut by the Denver Broncos, but Prescott remains the starter for now.

Meanwhile, the Giants have a rookie of their own in head coach Ben McAdoo. He was promoted from offensive coordinator to replace Tom Coughlin, and McAdoo has already proved capable of getting good results from QB Eli Manning. The health of his teammates has been a concern, though, especially on defense. Adding DE Olivier Vernon and NT Damon Harrison in the offseason should help ease those concerns.

NFL Odds: Cowboys Host Giants in 2016 Opener
The Dallas Cowboys are 1-point underdogs for Sunday's season opener (4:25 PM ET, FOX) at home versus the New York Giants. The Cowboys will start rookie Dak Prescott at quarterback, next to rookie RB Ezekiel Elliot. Mark Sanchez, who was signed on Saturday, will be Prescott's back-up in Week 1.

New York responds with a reinforced defensive front, featuring free-agent acquisitions DE Olivier Vernon and NT Damon Harrison alongside incumbent DE Jason Pierre-Paul and DT Johnathan Hankins. The injury-plagued Giants had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year.

NFL : Giants, Cowboys Kick Off Week 1 Action

The NFC East is always one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, and this season is no exception. The Dallas Cowboys start the season with a rookie quarterback as they host the New York Giants in their opener on Sunday.

The Giants had a 6-10 win-loss record last season partially because of their defense, which gave up the most yards in the league. That’s where they focused their offseason efforts with the additions of Janoris Jenkins, Damon Harrison and Eli Apple. The offense is still intact with Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., who’s one of the top receivers in the league.

The Cowboys went 4-12 last season, with an injured Tony Romo, and he’s out once again with a back injury. That puts rookie Dak Prescott under the spotlight and another rookie, Ezekiel Elliott, will line up behind him at running back. The Cowboys still have a tremendous offensive line, but it’ll have to survive without Romo, which they struggled with last season.

Dallas has won six of the last 10 games against the Giants, but the Giants claimed the most recent win – a 27-20 victory at MetLife Stadium last October. The Cowboys will get a chance to redeem themselves at 4:25 PM ET this Sunday.

NFL Odds: Cowboys, Giants Spark NFC East Rivalry
The NFC East is the place to be on Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys kick off the NFL season at home against their rivals, the New York Giants.

The Cowboys start the season with Tony Romo on the injured list, but rookie quarterback Dak Prescott impressed in preseason and will take over. The Giants are hoping their defense can improve from last season when it allowed more yards than any other team in the NFL. The Cowboys have won five of their last six against the Giants, who won the final meeting last season.

MLB : Can Toronto Get Back on Track in New York?

It's been a rough week for the Toronto Blue Jays (77-60, –1.80 betting units). They've lost four of their last six, including Monday's series opener against the resurgent New York Yankees (71-65, +1.17 units). The finale of this three-game set takes place Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, starting at 7:05 PM ET on Sportsnet.

Marcus Stroman (3.72 FIP) will try to staunch the bleeding for Toronto. He's been strong on the mound the past couple of months, providing seven quality starts in his last 11 appearances, but the Jays are just 5-6 during this stretch. The good news: Current Yankees have a tiny .503 OPS against Stroman in his brief career. The bad news: Wednesday will be the first time he's faced New York's hot rookie catcher, Gary Sanchez (1.182 OPS).

The Yankees will give second-year righty Luis Severino (4.64 FIP) another crack at the starting rotation on Wednesday. He's been limited mostly to bullpen work since going on the DL in May and spending nearly two months in the minors. New York has lost all nine of Severino's starts this year for a deficit of 10.02 units; the Jays have pounded him for a combined .955 OPS over 45 at-bats.

MLB Odds: Blue Jays, Yankees Rumble in the Bronx
The Toronto Blue Jays (77-60, –1.80 betting units) have lost four of their last six games, but they can get back on track Wednesday when they visit the New York Yankees (71-65, +1.17 units) in the finale of a three-game series. First pitch is at 7:05 PM ET on Sportsnet.

Marcus Stroman (3.72 FIP) gets the starting nod for Toronto against Luis Severino (4.64 FIP), who's had a very disappointing sophomore campaign; the Yankees have dropped all nine of his starts this season for a loss of 10.02 units, and Severino has twice been demoted to the bullpen.

MLB : Cardinals, Pirates Meet in NL Central Showdown

The Chicago Cubs have run away with the NL Central, which means the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals have to chase a wild card spot if they want to make the playoffs. The two teams meet in the final of a three-game series on Wednesday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals will go with Alex Reyes (1-0, 1.35 ERA), who took a no-decision in a 3-2 loss in Cincinnati. Reyes went six innings in his second major-league start, allowing a pair of runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. On the road this season, Reyes is 1-0 in four games (one start) with a 1.50 ERA. This will be the first time the 22-year-old righthander faces the Pirates in his career.

The Pirates counter with Jameson Taillon (3-4, 3.25 ERA), who was unlucky to take the loss in his last outing when his team fell 1-0 at home to Milwaukee. Taillon went six innings, giving up a run on three hits with four strikeouts and no walks. So far, Taillon is 1-2 in eight home starts this season with an ERA of 2.70. This is the first time that he’ll face the Cardinals.

MLB Odds: Cardinals, Pirates Clash in Pittsburgh
A pair of divisional rivals wrap up a three-game set on Wednesday when the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals face off in Game No. 3 of a three-game set. Both teams are competing for the National League wild card.

A pair of young pitchers will be on the mound. The Cardinals will send out 22-year-old Alex Reyes, who’s coming off a no-decision in his second career start. The Pirates will give the ball to 24-year-old Jameson Taillon, who pitched well in his last outing, but didn't get any run support. Both of these hurlers will be facing the opposing team for the first time in their careers.

Slots - Mega Wins - Rival's slot game

Mega payouts are on the line in Rival Gaming’s newest 3-reel slot, Mega Wins. This game has the look and feel of an old school electromechanical slot machine. The backdrop features a gold-coin explosion, blasting from the game logo, which hovers over the glittering three reels.

The reels have images of cherries, BAR icons, lucky No. 7s, and the jackpot-triggering hawk symbols. Landing three (or in the case of cherries, two) matching symbols on any of the five active lines gets you a payout. How much you get to pocket depends on how many coins were wagered.

Mega Wins’ three payout tiers can be found in the paytable just left of the reels. You can bet one, two or three coins per line, and each amount corresponds to a unique payout. An example of the payout differences between the three tiers can be seen when landing three mismatched BAR symbols: a one-coin bet pays three coins, a two-coin bet pays six coins, and a three-coin bet pays nine coins. All the payouts increase in the same systematic way with every additional coin wagered, except for the jackpot.


Three Hawk icons trigger the mega win jackpot. Betting one coin results in a 1,500-coin jackpot, betting two coins results in a 3,000-coin jackpot, and the payout for a three-coin wager jumps to 5,000 coins. The monetary value of the three-coin jackpot depends on the selected coin denominations. If each coin is worth a penny, the 5,000-coin jackpot pays $50.

The jackpot increases to $500 for $0.10-coin denominations and $25,000 for $5-coin denominations.
One of the game’s perks is the number of paylines it offers. Most 3-reel slot games come with one or three lines, but Mega Wins offers five. It comes with the standard three horizontal lines, and offers two bonus diagonal lines that reach corner-to-corner. The extra lines increase the odds of landing wins.

While developers continue to offer fancier slot games with more features, Mega Wins keeps it simple. Five paylines, three reels and mega jackpots are all that’s needed for a satisfying slot experience.

Politics : Trump Claws Back, But Still Behind

With just over two months until the 2016 US presidential election, the betting odds appear to have stabilized when it comes to the winner. Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party have given back the gains they made in recent weeks, falling back from –450 to –325, while Donald Trump and the Republicans have improved from +325 to +250.

Trump is still projected to receive about 44% of the popular vote on November 8, but his party has picked up steam in some key “swing” states. The GOP have climbed from +200 to +170 in both Iowa and North Carolina over the past two weeks, while Utah has vaulted from –300 to –700 to vote Republican. Meanwhile, Trump remains a +200 underdog to take Florida and Nevada, and the Republicans have slipped from +200 to +250 in Ohio. Clinton and the Dems are favored in 17 of the 22 states available on the futures market.

This has been a relatively quiet period for both parties, especially the Democrats, but business should pick up again on September 26 with the first of five scheduled debates – four between Clinton and Trump, and another between vice-presidential candidates Tim Kaine and Mike Pence.

Politics Odds: Democrats Still Poised to Win Presidency
Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party have slipped a bit in the polls, but they're still exactly where they were four weeks ago, favored at –325 to win the 2016 US presidential election. Donald Trump and the Republican Party trail at +250.

In a relatively quiet news cycle, Trump has managed to gain ground in Iowa (+170) and North Carolina (+170), both important “swing” states, but he's also falling behind in Ohio (+250). Overall, the Dems are favored in 17 of the 22 states on the futures market at press time, including Florida (–300) and Nevada (–350).