Monday’s Bet: Seth Jones Over 2.5 Shots On Goal

Chicago defenseman Seth Jones and the tanking Blackhawks head to Colorado to take on the Avalanche.

In Jones’ last ten games, he has gone over 2.5 shots on goal five times. Jones averages 2.55 shots on goal per game this season, while Colorado allows 31.37 shots per game. The last time these two teams faced off on Jan. 12, Jones went over this number and the Blackhawks won 3-2.

The Blackhawks have been playing some gritty hockey as of late, covering the puck line in four of their last five games while continuing to tank for last place. I’m almost tempted to take the ‘Hawks on the puck line in this game, but I might hold off (with 86% of the bets on the Avalanche to cover, it is tempting to back the Blackhawks, so take it if you are feeling dangerous today).

We will ultimately be on the right side of the hook and Jones will go over 2.5 shots on goal tonight.

Monday’s Bet: Mexico-Japan YRFI 

Hello, darkness, my old friend. We will start our Yes-/No-Run First Inning journey in the World Baseball Classic. 

The starting pitchers for tonight’s game will be Patrick Sandoval for Mexico and Roki Sasaki for Japan. Sandoval pitched three innings with two strikeouts and allowed one run in his last outing, while Sasaki pitched 3.2 innings with eight strikeouts and no runs allowed. Sasaki’s dominant performance against the Czech Republic may be overrated due to the team not being as skilled as the other rosters in this tournament. 

Each team has the tools to get the job done in the first inning due to their explosive offenses — both are averaging over six runs per game. On top of that, the YRFI hit in a combined six of their last 10 World Baseball Classic games. Mexico allowed a run in the first inning in three of those five matchups, while Japan scored a first-inning run twice.

Follow me on Twitter @C_Marchio2.