Vegas veteran Benjamin Eckstein, author of America’s Line, brings three decades of experience to make weekly picks in his “Ecks & Bacon” column.
Golf: American Century Championship Picks
LAS VEGAS — It might be 113 degrees and BOILING in Vegas, but up at Tahoe, it’s gonna be around 78/80 with a little breeze off the lake when they tee off at 10 a.m. That’ll be perfect for the American Century Championship.
You’ll be able to find odds on all the players. Tony Romo is the favorite at +150, followed by Mardy Fish at +200 and Mark Mulder at +400, with John Smoltz and Annika Sorenstam at +800. Gonna drop a few chips on Annika because she was all sorts of wonderful to my 12-year-old golfing granddaughter. And also ’cause she’s pretty, pretty, PRETTY good. Thank you, Larry David.
If you need a few long shots, Joe Buck, who can announce a little, is 500/1. Justin Timberlake, who can sing and dance a little, is also 500/1. Larry the Cable Guy, who can play a little, is 1,000/1. Ray Romano, who can act a little, is 3,000/1. And of course, Charles Barkley, who used to hoop a little, is, as always, the LONGEST of long shots at 7,500/1.
But the fun does not stop there. You have the father/son throw-down, with Steph Curry at -400 vs Daddy Dell Curry at +320. Steph is quite a magician with an iron in his hands and not sure if you wanna lay 1/4, but that’s the way to the bank.
Finally, got a Sir Charles prop, and it asks whether he will finish in the top 70. Of course you’re thinking NO WAY, and so are the oddsmakers. That’s why you will have to lay a GIGANTIC $1,600 on the NO just to win back one little tiny Benjamin. If you think the Round Mound of Rebound is gonna finish in the top 70, you put up $100 and get back $900 on the Yes. Check with your Sportsbook because the odds will bounce around at different shops.
MLB: Pirates vs Mets Pick
Back to the bases, and we’re gonna rock the Mets with Taijuan Walker over the Pirates. Walker has been throwing some darts recently, winning seven of his last nine, but his work at Citi Field has been exceptional. He has allowed only four earned runs over 31 innings for a SKINNY almost INVISIBLE 0.90 ERA. And my dad always told me, any time you find a pitcher with a ZERO as the first number of the ERA, OPEN the wallet!!!
Soccer: Euro 2020, Copa America Picks
Couple of phenomenal soccer matches this weekend. Brazil vs Argentina in the Copa America final and England vs Italy in the Euro 2020 title game. We’re gonna take a sweet underdog price and call for a draw in both games after 90 minutes and injury time.
UFC: Poirier vs McGregor 3 Pick
On to the UFC Octagon in Vegas where Conor McGregor is fighting Dustin Poirier. GOBS of money is flooding the market and it’s all going toward Poirier. “The Diamond” rocked “Notorious” in the last match, and I think he’ll put him down again. McGregor just sold his Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey brand for like $600 MILLION. Does he really care anymore? NAH!
And if you’re looking for the NBA pick on Sunday, PLZ hit me on Instagram. I will be doing quick 15-second picks at www.instagram.com/vegasvigorish!
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 protected].
