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 — EVERYONE is coming for your money. EVERYONE is like 23-4 against the spread the last two weeks. EVERYONE has had 32 straight winning weeks. EVERYONE is full of ... yeah, fill in the blank. Please, please, PLZ, before you take your credit card out of your wallet to sign up, before you go to Venmo, before you write a check, HIT ME!!!
There are some handicappers that actually put out LEGIT numbers and are worth a look, guys that I’ve known for years. However, there are WAY MORE SCAMDICAPPERS that will flush your money down the toilet. Not gonna go into any names, but I do know most of them after living in this industry every day for the last 40 years.
Will be happy to guide you and do the research on anyone you’re interested in, just yell at me. You can hit my email, ben@americasline.com, or throw a question at me on Twitter @vegasvigorish. I’ll get back to you within two or three days, PROMISE!
NFL Line Movement
If you’re a fan of line moves, there was a pretty significant jump in the Lions-Bills game. Buffalo opened at -2 and with some late steam, Detroit has now moved to a 1- to 1.5-point favorite depending on where you shop.
MLB Pick
C’mon with me to the Field of Dreams, oops, never mind, I mean Philadelphia, and grab the Phillies with Zack Wheeler over the Reds. Love the way the Phils are rolling, winning nine of the last 11 with the only two losses coming against the Dodgers.
Also LOVE what Wheeler has been doing on the mound. His last outing was a BRILLIANT complete-game 3-0 bagel against the Mets, and he has won four of his last five. If you look at Tyler Mahle’s 9-3 record, you’re probably thinking, why the Phillies? Well, the 9-3 record comes with a not-so-great 3.78 ERA and allowing almost a hit per inning. Home cookin’ and Philly cheese steaks are the way to bet and eat tonight.
Premier League Pick
Jumpin’ across the pond for some Premier League action tomorrow and gonna drop some chips on Manchester United over Leeds United. You never wanna base a pick on a handful of exhibition or friendly games as they call ’em over in England, but BOY did Man U look delicious in its last outing against Everton.
The Red Devils threw a bagel, or clean sheet as they call it over there, at Everton, with Mason Greenwood, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot finding the back of the net.
And if you’re sitting, check out this little golden nugget. The visitors from Leeds are winless in 16 away fixtures against Manchester United since a 1-0 triumph in February 1981. ONLY FORTY YEARS! Not gonna sell my soul, but you gotta gimme the Devils for the money!
And if you don’t mind laying the price with a GIGANTIC home favorite, try Chelsea over Crystal Palace.
And if you’re looking for more picks this weekend, PLZ hit me on Instagram. I will be doing quick 15-second picks at www.instagram.com/vegasvigoris
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.
