Chowder and Champions’ Best Boston Bets for 7/17 (Hopkins Fallout, Yankees Suck, Red Sox Roll)
July was a pretty damn good month for Boston sports fans before DeAndre Hopkins had to kill the buzz. But the Red Sox are still streaking, the Yankees still suck and Patriots training camp will be getting underway soon, so it’s not all bad.
And of course, even bad news can make for good bets. Whether you think Mac Jones is the answer or not, and whether you think he’ll be okay without a top WR like Hopkins or not, you can put your money where your mouth is.
On a Monday full of news in the Boston sports world, here are our editors’ top betting picks.
Best Betting Picks: July 17
Jason Schandl: Angels Moneyline
You know what’s just as fun as betting on the Red Sox? Betting against the Yankees. And there’s plenty of reason to do that tonight.
The Yanks stumbled into the All-Star break by going 4-6 to start July, and things have been dramatically worse since then. Losing a three-game series to the Colorado Rockies is the stuff nightmares are made of, and Yanks fans won’t get to wake up tonight against the Angels.
Luis Severino vs Griffin Canning feels like it should be a pitching edge for the Yanks, but Severino has absolutely imploded this season. He’s given up 7 earned runs in each of his last two starts, and he’s given up 7 as many times as he’s given up fewer than 2 (three times each). I don’t know what’s wrong with him, but I do know I want to bet against him whenever I can.
Without their offense firing in a way that can make up for Severino, this is going to be a long night for Yankees fans. Naturally, that makes it a pretty good night for Red Sox fans and for anyone who bets on the Angels.
And remember, if you sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook through Chowder and Champions, you’ll be awarded a $150 GUARANTEED bonus after placing your first $5 wager – and it doesn’t matter whether that $5 bet wins or loses.
Isaiah De Los Santos: Mac Jones Passing Yards
DeAndre Hopkins’ free agency saga finally came to an end on Sunday, and it didn’t go the way New England Patriots fans wanted. Despite not getting really anything he claimed was on his wishlist, Hopkins is planning to join the Tennessee Titans. That’s because money talks and New England skimped out on its offer for the three-time First Team All-Pro.
The Pats’ refusal to outbid the Titans, despite having the capital to do so, is concerning on multiple fronts. This offense is in a similar state as last year, which ended with the team posting its second losing record in three seasons.
Now Mac Jones is set to have JuJu Smith-Schuster as his No. 1 option, followed by a ton of complementary players who aren’t game-breakers. How is the franchise supposed to evaluate Jones if he’s not put in a position to succeed and surrounded by talent?
Instead, the Pats’ game plan for the upcoming season appears obvious. Rhamondre Stevenson, who now doesn’t have Damien Harris to take carries away, will serve in a workhorse role for this offense, just like he did down the stretch of last year. The passing game, meanwhile, will be an afterthought that challenges for another bottom-10 ranking in production.
That’s why I can’t see a big year from Jones in the passing yard department. He’ll be used to moving the ball when necessary, but it’s incredibly difficult to see Belichick favoring the air with a bell cow in the backfield. Jones already fell under the 3,000-yard mark last year while dealing with injuries and supporting cast issues, and I see a similar story playing out in 2023. I’d already be putting money on the Under for his passing yards this season, which is listed at 3,300.5 at DraftKings (+105 over, -125 under).
Tyler Maher: Red Sox Runline
After months of inconsistent play, the Boston Red Sox (50-44) have finally hit their stride in July and are playing their best baseball of the season. After taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field over the weekend, the Sox have now won 10 of their last 12 games.
Boston will try to stay hot on Monday in Oakland against the putrid A’s, who were just swept by the Minnesota Twins. Oakland’s been the worst team in MLB this year with a 25-70 record, making them an easy target for sports bettors.
With their rotation decimated by injuries, the Red Sox have yet to announce a starter for tonight’s game. Manager Alex Cora will likely go with an opener, but we may need to rely on our bats to win this one.
That shouldn’t be an issue, however, as we’re averaging 5.04 runs per game (fifth in MLB) on the season and 6.55 in July. Our lineup should have a field day against Paul Blackburn (1-1, 4.86 ERA) and the rest of Oakland’s staff, which is allowing an MLB-high 6.28 runs per game.
The Sox have been excellent against the spread on the road this year (27-19), so back Boston’s surging offense to cover the runline.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.