Sports Betting Futures Odds: Team Nyquist Turns Attention to Preakness, Triple Crown

by Ricky Dimon - 5/10/2016

The Kentucky Derby has come and gone, and for a fourth consecutive year it was won by the favorite. That means the potential for a second straight Triple Crown is very real. In 2015 it was American Pharoah; now the candidate is Nyquist, an undefeated horse who prevailed by a little more than a length at Churchill Downs last Saturday. Speaking of favorites, Rory McIlory is considered the top contender at The Players Championship after another strong showing at last week's Wells Fargo Championship.

Odds provided by Bovada Sportsbook unless otherwise indicated .

Triple Crown

Nyquist win the Preakness Stakes (-140) - Nyquist's undefeated record includes the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 2015, the Florida Derby in early April, and now the Kentucky Derby. Since the start of the 1997 season, a whopping 10 horses have won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.

Nyquist to win the Belmont Stakes (+120) -The Belmont, of course, has been a much different beast than the Preakness. Well, it had been at least until American Pharoah last year. It is the longest one (1.5 miles) and the last one, so naturally the most grueling. Only two horses (Pharoah included) since 1984 have won in Kentucky and in New York.

Nyquist to win the Triple Crown (+200) - Things that once seemed impossible now appear well within reach after what American Pharoah accomplished in 2015. Still, only 12 horses since all three races began being run in 1875 have won the Triple Crown. Nyquist may not look as dominant as Pharoah, but all he does is win.

Exaggerator to win the Preakness Stakes (+450) - The Desormeaux brothers (trainer Keith and jockey Kent) were not at all disappointed after finishing runner-up to Nyquist. A phenomenal closer (he won the Santa Anita Derby by more than six lengths after trailing by almost 20 at the halfway point), Exaggerator will have to close earlier at the Preakness.

American League East (BetOnline Sportsbook)

Boston Red Sox (+150) - The Red Sox (19-13) are tied atop the AL East with Baltimore, but they are well ahead in run differential for whatever that is worth (their +30 is second in the American League behind the White Sox). David Ortiz is batting .321 with nine home runs.

Toronto Blue Jays (+175) -Lounging three games behind the leaders at .500 (17-17), Toronto has never really gotten going in 2016. It has never been more than two games over .500 or three games under .500 at any point. The 2015 AL East champions are still waiting for Jose Bautista to heat up.

Baltimore Orioles (+400) - Baltimore has become a consistent force over the past few years and it's not hard to figure out why. The lineup includes Chris Davis, Manny Machado, and Mark Trumbo, just to name a few. Starter Chris Tillman is currently leading a patchwork staff with a 4-1 record and a 3.05 ERA.

New York Yankees (+500) -As usual, this looks like one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. Only six games separate first place from last (the Yankees). Even the last choice, the Tampa Bay Rays, are only +650. New York is a disappointing 12-18 but is 3-1 in its last four and recently took two of three from Boston.

French Open

Serena Williams (+225) - Clay is without question Serena's worst surface, but she has still managed to triumph at Roland Garros on three occasions (including twice in the last three years). The world No. 1 should be especially motivated after failing to win either the most recent U.S. Open or Australian Open.

Victoria Azarenka (+400) - Aside from a surprising loss to Angelique Kerber in the Aussie Open quarterfinals, Azarenka has been the undisputed best player in the world this season. The Belarusian captured back-to-back titles in Indian Wells and Miami. But health is always a concern. and she has never reached the French Open final.

Simona Halep (+700) -Halep was pretty much a disaster this whole season until capturing last week's Madrid title from just about out of nowhere. She did, however, benefit from an amazing draw in which she faced only one seeded opponent. Halep has been past round two only once in Paris, but that was a runner-up performance in 2014.

Garbine Muguruza (+1400) - If this is not a one-horse race (Serena), at most it will be a three-horse race (Serena, Azarenka, and Halep)-at least according to the odds. Muguruza is far more unproven, but she has reached two consecutive Roland Garros quarterfinals in addition to a Wimbledon final appearance last summer.

The Players Championship

Rory McIlroy (+750) -McIlory has never won The Players Championship, but he placed T6 in 2014 and T8 last year. The Northern Irishman is in strong enough form at the moment, with three consecutive top-10 finishers after tying for fourth last week in Charlotte thanks to a Sunday 66.

Jordan Spieth (+900) - He's back! Yes, Jordan Spieth lives. For the first time since his epic collapse at the Masters, Spieth will be appearing in something other than a vacation to the Bahamas with Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, and Smylie Kaufman. He was T4 at this tournament in 2014.

Jason Day (+1100) -Day fired an opening 69 last season but carded a Friday 81 to miss the cut along with Spieth. The Australian is looking to get back in the winner's circle after lifting consecutive trophies prior to the Masters. He never made a serious move at Augusta National and has since been mediocre.

Rickie Fowler (+1800) - Fowler is the defending champion at Sawgrass, where he outlasted Sergio Garcia and Kevin Kisner in a playoff. The 27-year-old American also finished runner-up to Matt Kuchar in 2012, so he knows how to get around this course. Fowler is coming off a T4 at Quail Hollow last week.

Start:	November 23, 2024 @ 2:30 PM
Expert:	Tony George
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