Vegas veteran Benjamin Eckstein, author of America’s Line, brings three decades of experience to make weekly picks in his “Ecks & Bacon” column.
Las Vegas - As if we didn't have enough sports on the menu in the next few weeks, just got word that we're finally gonna have a showdown of the FIFTY-somethings. Mike Tyson is gonna step in the ring against Roy Jones Jr. for an eight round exhibition match on September 12 in Carson, California. Really??? Yea, REALLY!!! Of course, we have the Sportsbook odds, and looks like Iron Mike at -$110 vs. Junior/Superman/RJ/Captain Hook at -$110. We know there will be ton of props, and we're working on which FIFTY YEAR OLD will put on the oxygen mask first.
Might have to reach out to Tyson, who came to my house for dinner a few times back in the 80s, with Cus D'Amato and Teddy Atlas. He would play video games with my kids, think it was Atari back then, and obviously enjoyed Mrs. Ecks & Bacon's famous Sunday night spaghetti & meatballs with a side of garlic bread. Gathering more info as we go, about the conditioning of both guys, and the pillows/ boxing gloves they're gonna use. Will have a pick for you in a few weeks. Could be BIG MONEY BAABBBEEE!!!
MLB Picks
Sportsbook Day part II, we're gonna roll out two picks for the Ecks & Bacon Nation, starting with the Phillies and Aaron Nola over the Marlins. Watched some of Nola this Saturday against the Nationals at Washington, and he was SMOKING. He allowed only ONE hit over 5 innings and looks ready. Kinda like Miami starter Sandy Alcantara, but when he looks into the batter's box and sees Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, Didi Gregorious, Jean Segura and Jay Bruce staring back at him, there's gonna be problems. Gimme some Liberty Bell baby!
Then we'll swing out to St. Louis and try the Cards with Jack Flaherty over the Pirates. This 23 year old baby closed out the 2019 season on one of the GREAT runs we've ever seen. Starting with an outing in late July, he allowed just 81 earned runs over 92 innings for a MICROSCOPIC 0.88 ERA. And as you know, my Dad told me that any time you see a ZERO as the first number of the ERA, jump. So, gimme some Arch baby!
Premier League Pick
Swing over to England with me, and gonna try a sweet little three team parlay on Sunday as the Premier League closes the book on this crazy 2019-20 season. Gimme Arsenal, of course, and hook the Gunners with Tottenham and West Ham United. Enjoy!!!
Benjamin Eckstein is a nationally syndicated sportswriter/oddsmaker. His column, America’s Line, with the Ecks & Bacon appetizer, has run in the New York Daily News and over 100 other papers since 1988. You can follow him online at www.americasline.com. He is beloved by most, when he picks Sportsbooks, and detested by others, when he picks the occasional loser. If you wanna piece of Eck, hit his email...ben@americasline.com.
