Matt's Picks (4 Live)
I had not planned to play this, but the Flyers have ruled out No. 1 goalie Dan "Darth" Vladar. The former Calgary No. 2 has been excellent this year and stole the starting job from today's starter in Samuel Ersson (3.05 GAA). Which sounds a lot like Ershon and makes me think of the criminally underrated "The Other Guys." Truly love that movie. I also now want a glacier water with cucumber because it accents the water in such a way ... lol. In addition, Philly is without center Christian Dvorak (23 points, plus-8). Yeah, this got interesting real fast, although the Rangers for some reason are really struggling at home. Otherwise this should be probably -180.
I generally make plays with my brain and not heart .. but will make an exception for this one. I honestly believe Miami is one of the top-five most talented teams in the country if Mario Cristobal would just get out of his own way sometimes. At a neutral site, I'd crush this. But it's not. Obviously weather forecasts are tricky this far out. It looks rather nice in College Station down the road. Cold and I'm not doing this. Because the Canes are like the Dolphins. Fish out of water so to speak.
Obviously juiced but an outlier number at our books. West Ham has not lost a match in any competition by at least three goals since Sept. 13 and has drawn its past three away. Quick turnaround for the Citizens as they beat Brentford 2-0 on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup. In all competitions, Man City would have covered this twice in the past eight. Pep Guardiola's squad has some availability concerns, too. See in America I'd just say on the IR or whatnot. But in Love Actually-land (it's Christmas and that's a Top-5 all-time flick) guys might be hurt, suspended or with national teams. Many EPL clubs, including City, are missing a guy or two due to them playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
I seriously don't know what world this is. Earth-616 per Marvel but I'm a Superman/Batman guy so I'll just say Metropolis/Gotham. I can't get much right currently other than soccer. If you had repeated that line to me 18 months ago ... I'd have said they would have remade Breakfast Club before I believed that (don't you dare!). You know, I like math (says the writer). I tend to do well on lower-scoring sports for that reason because my dome thinks a bit differently. "It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logical reasons can be found." I'm not sure if that's relevant here, but my pattern seems to be working in this sport at least. Have learned to profit off draws.
Look, I am a very careful bettor because I play a lot. So I am fine paying this somewhat outrageous amount simply to avoid the stress and gastrointestinal discomfort that overtime/shootout would provide. I'm actually not kidding. I feel physically ill in OT (or extra innings) with stress because know I will lose. Sure feels that way. Do I think the Ducks win outright here with Dallas in the second of a B2B? Of course I think a great chance, I only play for draws in soccer. Perhaps tie no bet at -115 or I have to say Ducks +140 in regulation is not terrible. I want protection. Even at 82 cents.
Half-unit because I hate playing road teams, and I'm quite sure all those Knicks who sat out last night at Indiana will play, but I still think the team will be physically and mentally gassed from an incredibly hectic week. Maybe we get lucky and Jalen Brunson sits out. We cashed last night fading the Knicks, although Brunson won it brilliantly late. I refuse to mention a certain Sixers 7-foot former MVP with the initials JE, but he's questionable. Also the sun will rise in the East. Tell me something I don't know; I honestly don't even include that guy any longer in any prognostications it's so ridiculous. And the Sixers have been off since Sunday. So if rest means anything at all.
Do I think the Hurricanes are the better club right now? Yep, but I also say if you get the two-time champs +1 at home that you have to. Almost think the Cats will be offended being home dogs. But I'm slumping a bit across the board at the moment. Sometimes a built-in holiday day off or two isn't the worst thing to just reset. I'm not saying that I'm the Short Circuit robot -- Johnny 5 -- declaring "Malfunction! Need input!" but let's just say El DeBarge is from my hometown. "Who's Johnny?" How did a movie with El DeBarge, a lovable robot, Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy not win an Oscar!?
Coming close to dumping college hoops and focusing on soccer. At least in that sport I know who will play (usually). "I'm not bitter, you are. I know you are, but what am I?" Yep, I have been relegated to fifth-grade playground talk when it comes to college basketball. And I used relegated on purpose as we segue to the Beautiful Game. I generally like U3.5 when not the super-giants of European soccer. Both these sides (no way I type the visiting name, I'd hurt myself) apparently have major availability questions, but I can't learn about two CCSU guys ruled out until 5 minutes before a hoops tip? Yet I have more solid info on German soccer ... in German. This feels backward. "Danke schön."
Man, this hurts me and I'm only doing a half-unit. So proud of Western, its best team since the Fighting Flecks of 2016. And I told myself, and perhaps I talk to myself way too much, that I bet I get an alumni/donation letter now. Sure enough Tuesday. I'm sure my $25 will find the next five-star QB. Or one-star and his lunch at Pizza Hut. It's basically the hook why I am playing this. WMU might be slightly better, but KSU has been pretty darn impressive. No apparent major opt-outs or transfers on either side. Western by a late field goal and life is good.
Do you remember the 80s? I'm sure many of you not even born, but back then you earned bank to buy something, for some reason, that had Vuarnet on it (or Girbaud). It was just French cool. I have no idea what's cool now, but I expect to have some Vuarnet money with this. Are the Sharks the cash cow they were earlier in the year? No, but we are all over this. San Jose is 24-10 ATS and "Après la pluie, le beau temps." I hope that means I desire a grilled cheese with pickles inside. It does metaphorically ... and now that's happening in next 24 hours. "Florida Man dies after having forgotten to check his cheese is 4 years past date."
Yeah after watching SportsCenter -- which is about unwatchable at this point; I'd rather have a root canal without anesthetic than watch that 5 p.m. High Five version -- guess we have to go Under with winds and rain. Not that I was unaware but sometimes you kinda have to see the conditions for yourself. And surely no Davante Adams for L.A. These teams combined for 40 points in ideal indoor conditions in LA earlier in the year. I don't care who wins other than if it helps the Bears; I'd much rather avoid Matthew Stafford and face Sam Darnold (DUH!) in the playoffs. Shoot, I'd rather avoid Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar version) and prefer to face Sam Darnold is what I think of Mr. Ghosts.