This story was originally published by Dead Spin
Don’t let the Olympics completely distract you from what’s going on stateside.
We’ll finally be getting our first dose of NFL football as the calendar flips to August, and the MLB landscape has been completely altered following Tuesday’s trade deadline.
If you’re feeling patriotic and want to turn your attention to the Paris Games, that’s fine with us. After all, you can only bet on the Summer Olympics once every four years.
However, the three picks we have for you don’t have anything to do with medals.
Houston Texans at Chicago Bears
What an incredible way to start the preseason — if the starters were playing.
That’s right. When Houston and Chicago collide for Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, the majority of both teams’ starters will be watching from the sidelines. Bears coach Matt Eberflus has already made it clear that he’ll be turning to the second unit, while Texans coach DeMeco Ryans plans to keep most of his top players out of the contest.
It won’t be long before Houston and Chicago get together for a meaningful game, as the teams are scheduled to play each other in Week 2 of the regular season.
Hopefully that’s when we get to see No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams square off against reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud in a battle of two of the league’s most promising young quarterbacks.
But those two won’t be under center on Thursday, meaning a pretty ugly game could be in the cards.
The pick: UNDER 31.5 total points, -110 (FanDuel)
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Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers
Keider Montero has been absolutely going through it over the past three weeks.
The Detroit right-hander has allowed at least five runs in each of his past three starts, going 0-2 with an 8.80 ERA during that span.
Things won’t get any easier for Montero on Thursday, as he is scheduled to start against a Kansas City club that has averaged 5.8 runs per game since the All-Star break. The Royals most recently racked up 22 runs during a three-game series sweep of the White Sox, but Chicago is 57 games under .500, so take that how you will.
Still, Kansas City should have no problem getting to Montero as it continues to try and improve its position in the American League wild-card race.
The pick: Royals team total over 4.5 runs, -120 (FanDuel)
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Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Angels
The stars might just be aligning in Anaheim, Calif.
Los Angeles designated hitter Willie Calhoun heads into Thursday night’s game against Colorado riding a five-game hitting streak, and he’ll draw a favorable matchup with right-hander Ryan Feltner getting the nod for the Rockies.
Opposing left-handed hitters are batting . 286 with eight home runs against Feltner, who has gone 1-7 on the road this season. Coincidentally, all four of Calhoun’s home runs this year have come off right-handers, and the 29-year-old has only gone deep at Angel Stadium.
Calhoun doesn’t have a lot of pop, but all the numbers are on his side in this one, and what’s not to love about a bet that will win you a lot even if you risk a little?
The pick: Willie Calhoun to hit a home run, +800 (FanDuel)
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