Chowder and Champions’ Best Boston Bets for 7/18 (Dalvin Cook Rumors, Sox Stay Hot, Yankees Fall)

Monday was a pretty good day for Boston sports fans. The Red Sox won, the Yankees lost, and Dalvin Cook remained available, which means he may still end up in a Pats jersey after all.

With baseball season in full swing and Patriots training camp just around the corner, there’s plenty for Boston sports fans to wager on today.

Here are our editors’ top betting picks for Tuesday.

Best Betting Picks: July 18

Isaiah De Los Santos: Dalvin Cook Next Team (Patriots +150)

The New England Patriots’ offense would’ve gotten a huge boost by a DeAndre Hopkins signing. Instead, this unit remains in an underwhelming state, which could set Mac Jones up for another disappointing year.

Luckily for New England, there’s one big offensive upgrade still on the market: Dalvin Cook. A marriage between the two parties makes a ton of sense for both sides. The veteran running back is eager to prove his position is still worth paying for, and the sting of the Minnesota Vikings cutting him to save a few extra bucks should make him very motivated to ball out wherever he lands next.

The Pats, meanwhile, need to inject some legitimate playmaking into their offense. This wide receiver corps simply doesn’t stack up to most other groups around the league, making the passing game a possible weakness. One way to cover that up, however, is with a strong running game that knows how to move the ball. We know how much Bill Belichick loves to have a healthy stable of running backs, and Cook would instantly give New England one of the best one-two punches in the league with Rhamondre Stevenson.

The Patriots were unwilling to meet the lofty price tag for Hopkins, and they suffered the consequences. I don’t think they’ll make the same mistake twice in one offseason, which is why I’d jump on the Pats to be Cook’s next team on DraftKings while it’s still at plus-money (+135).

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.

Tyler Maher: Red Sox Runline

For the second night in a row, the Red Sox don’t have a set starting pitcher. Is it you? Is it me? Nobody knows.

That didn’t make one ounce of difference last night, though, as Boston bludgeoned the Oakland A’s 7-0. The bats were stellar, as we predicted, pounding out 10 hits as every starter except Yu Chang recorded at least one.

Expect a similar performance tonight against Luis Medina, who’s been utterly abysmal this year. At 2-7 with a 6.34 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. That’s exactly the type of pitcher you want to face if you’re a hitter. He might as well be throwing batting practice.

With a guy like that on the mound, it doesn’t really matter who Alex Cora picks to start. The Red Sox lineup is averaging 6.6 runs per game in July and should carry them once again.

The A’s simply don’t have the firepower to keep up. They’re averaging just 3.6 runs per game this season (worst in MLB) and have now lost eight in a row, including all four of their games against Boston. The Sox have dominated them this year, outscoring Oakland 28-9 and covering the runline in three of four matchups.

When one of the hottest teams in baseball is facing a team that hasn’t won in two weeks, there’s no need to overthink it. Expect another easy win for Boston as it covers the runline.

Jason Schandl: Angels Moneyline

It’s always a good time when “bet against the Yankees” constantly proves to be good advice instead of just something Red Sox fans want to do. And after cashing in yesterday, it’s worth going back to the well on Tuesday.

Domingo German is on the mound for New York tonight, and while he hasn’t been as bad as Luis Severino, he has been a massive disappointment in 2023. This guy has seen his ERA jump to 4.32 from 3.61 last year, which is back in line with his 4.36 career average. He’s had some impressive outings this year for sure, but he’s balanced those with just as many stinkers. And against a Los Angeles Angels squad that ranks No. 4 in the majors in wRC+ against righties (not to mention No. 6 in OBP and No. 3 in slugging), this projects to be one of those stinkers.

The Yanks’ bats continue to struggle, and even though Angels starter Patrick Sandoval is having a mediocre year of his own, it’s hard to project New York to shell anyone at this point.

Something is very wrong with the Yankees right now, and a road game against one of baseball’s best offenses isn’t the kind of spot where it’s easy to turn things around.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.