“Bear Bets” are actual wagers that Chris “The Bear” Fallica is definitely making.
Individuals who have been following me know that, throughout soccer season, I’ve weekly picks on NFL and college football. However with each of these seasons behind us — or forward of us, relying on the way you have a look at it — I am providing you with some non-football futures wagers that I like.
Nothing makes sports activities higher than having a couple of bucks on some futures tickets that you may watch all year long.
From March Madness to MLB, I bought you coated on quite a lot of sports activities.
So let’s dive into it.
VCU to make Remaining 4
The Rams won’t have a ton of Quad 1 and a pair of wins, however this isn’t a group you’re going to need to see pop up as a ten or 11 seed in your area. The Rams play elite protection. They’re ranked nineteenth in KenPom and are deep. Max Shulga and Joe Bamisile are two of the higher gamers within the A-10 and have a number of scoring threats. VCU has made the Remaining 4 as a low seed, and it would not shock me in any respect to see one other run this yr from Ryan Odom’s bunch.
PICK: VCU (+5000) to make Remaining 4
Cornucopian to win Kentucky Derby
You’ll need to do some looking to seek out fixed-odds Derby futures. Caesars Las Vegas is one spot I do know that has them. However that is definitely worth the search. Bob Baffert’s thrilling three-year-old simply broke his maiden in spectacular style. The figures recommend he ran 4 lengths sooner than the colt that received the Insurgent Stakes later within the day. There’s no margin for error; Cornucopian should run first or second within the Arkansas Derby to make the Derby beginning gate and keep wholesome. However Bob Baffert has received a Triple Crown with a latecomer on the path earlier than (Justify) and if Cornucopian makes the Derby subject, he’s going to be one of many favorites within the race. You’ll be blissful to be holding 33-1.
PICK: Cornucopian (+3300) to win Kentucky Derby
Joao Fonseca to win French Open
The thrilling 18-year-old Brazilian simply received the NextGen Finals in December on onerous court docket and backed it up with a win within the Argentina Open on Clay final month. Most might be keen at hand the French Open title to Carlos Alcaraz, however I’m not. Clay shouldn’t be Jannik Sinner’s greatest floor. It is anybody’s guess as to how Novak Djokovic’s physique goes to carry up. And might we actually take Sascha Zverev significantly to win a slam at this level? There are a variety of questions as we dive into the lads’s subject, so why not take a flier on somebody with great upside?
PICK: Joao Fonseca (+3700) to win French Open
Mark Vientos to guide MLB in dwelling runs
You by no means totally count on to money with a 50-1 shot, however perhaps Mark Vientos is the Met who advantages probably the most from the Juan Soto addition. Vientos backed up a 27-home-run common season (in 111 video games/454 AB) with three large bombs within the Mets postseason run. Relying on the place he settles within the lineup, he may see some fairly good pitches to hit in some batter-friendly NL East stadiums.
PICK: Mark Vientos (+5000) to guide MLB in dwelling runs
Cole Ragans to guide MLB in Strikeouts (22-1)
Ragans was fifth within the majors in strikeouts final yr with 223 — simply 5 behind chief Tarik Skubal — and his Okay/9 was really barely larger than Skubal (10.8 to 10.7). That was his first full season within the bigs. Ragans advantages from a number of begins in opposition to the White Sox and a few different groups that I believe will regress this yr within the AL Central (Detroit and Cleveland). There’s an opportunity he takes a fair greater leap ahead this yr, and if he does, we’re taking a look at Cy Younger level-type stuff.
PICK: Cole Ragans (+2200) to guide MLB in strikeouts
Tanner Bibee to guide MLB in strikeouts
Talking of dart throws, right here’s an 80-1 shot in Bibee to guide the league in Ks. Bibee had bother working deep into video games at instances final yr however completed with 187 Okay and 9.7 Okay per 9. Like Ragans, the upside right here is large. Bibee completed second to Gunnar Henderson in AL ROY voting in 2023 and likewise, like Ragans, advantages from pitching in a division with the White Sox. Hey, I’ve thrown lunch cash on worse issues!
PICK: Tanner Bibee (+8000) to guide MLB in strikeouts
Bobby Witt Jr. to guide MLB in doubles
Witt was second to Jarren Duran in doubles final yr and there’s no cause to consider he won’t be a risk to guide on this class this yr. Well being is rarely assured, however Witt has performed in 150, 158 and 161 video games in his three seasons and led MLB in hits final yr from his 709 plate appearances. His pace makes him a risk to show singles into doubles, which is why I in the end landed on Witt right here.
PICK: Bobby Witt Jr. (+900) to guide MLB in doubles
Mookie Betts to guide MLB in runs
Betts has led the league in runs thrice, and he practically made it a fourth in 2023. He may get there this yr in a loaded Dodgers lineup. It’s really weird that the Red Sox let this man stroll after the 2019 season. I’m anticipating some optimistic regression within the well being division as effectively, after Betts performed in simply 116 video games final yr. When Betts returned from harm final season, that is when the Dodgers actually took off and a 150-plus sport season from him may produce 125 runs or extra.
PICK: Mookie Betts (+900) to guide MLB in runs
Chris “The Bear” Fallica has coated sports activities for practically three many years. Whereas faculty soccer has been his focus, he additionally enjoys the NFL, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MLB, NHL and Horse Racing, with an “occasional” wager on such occasions. Chris just lately received the inaugural Circa Soccer Invitational and completed within the Prime 10 of the Golden Nugget Soccer Contest. He is a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Bear in mind, “The much less you wager, the extra you lose once you win!” Comply with him on Twitter @chrisfallica.
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