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 - C'mon and pull up a chair at the Ecks & Bacon table. We put together another PERFECTO in this space last week, 3-0, which pushed the current streak to 6-0. You ready for NINE & OH BABY? Read on.
MLB pick
You might not get this in time, but we're gonna roll with the Brewers and Jhoulys Chacin over the Rockies this afternoon. As for the rest, can't wager on the Yankees because I was born in the Bronx and bleed pinstripes. The Verlander/Kluber throw down is too tough, and ain't gonna lay $230 with Kershaw.
We also have a look ahead. If the Rockies did lose to the Brewers in game two, we would STRONGLY advise a YUGE play on Colorado back home at Coors Field on Sunday. The Rocks with throw their ace, Kyle Freeland, and all he's done is win EIGHT in a row without a loss since the beginning of August. Even if the Rockies evened the series at 1-1, we would still grab Freeland, but not with both hands.
NCAAF pick
Now you can call me crazy, and you don't have to jump with me, but gonna try a four team 14-point teaser on the college board. Gotta lay 2/1, but adjusting two TDs on each game should be money in the bank. So, gonna start with Kentucky and take the Wildcats from +6 to +20 points against Texas A&M. Then grab Auburn, and drop the Tigers from -3.5 to +11.5 points against Mississippi State. Move right to Mississippi, and take the Bulldogs down from -22 to -8 points over UL-Monroe. Then close up shop way out in the Pacific, and drop Hawaii from -3 to +11 points over Wyoming.
NFL pick
Jump to Sunday, and take the Panthers -6 points over the Giants. Always had great admiration for Eli Manning but it might be time for Peyton's little bro to step aside. Not totally his fault because New York's offensive line has more holes than a pair of $700 jeans from Dolce & Gabbana. Actually saw a pair on their website with four holes, two patches and a crest for $1,495. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Back to Eli. When you score only 18 points against a New Orleans team that has given up the second most points in the NFL, that spells trouble.
The Giants have just four wins in the last 20 games, while Carolina has won 22 of its last 28 at home. Even better, the Panthers have been MONEY playing teams outside the NFC South, covering 11 of the last 14. My calculator tells me that's 79%. Finally, the last reason that Carolina is on my mind? Ron Rivera has a hat trick after the bye, winning and covering the last three. One thing left to say. Yup, this is my BEST BET BABY!!!
And what would a Sunday be without a sweet three team 10-point NFL teaser. BORING! Of course, start with Carolina, and take the Panthers from -6 to +4 points over the Giants. Then tap Denver, and take the Broncos from pick'em to +10 points against the Jets. Finish up on Monday night and bump Washington up from +6.5 to +16.5 points against the Saints.
And PLZ hit me on Twitter over the weekend, @vegasvigorish, just in case anything pops.
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 winners, and detested by others, when he picks the occasional loser. If you wanna piece of Eck, hit his Email...ben@americasline.com.
