Sports Betting Futures Odds: Wentz, Stanton Shake Up Some Odds

by Ricky Dimon - 12/13/2017

Big news has made a big impact on future odds in various sports of late. Eagles' quarterback Carson Wentz is out for the season, shaking up the NFC playoff hierarchy. On the baseball diamond, Giancarlo Stanton has migrated from a terrible team in the National League to a powerhouse in the American League. In fact, the Yankees are now favorites to win the World Series.

All odds provided by BetOnline Sportsbook .

NFC Championship

Minnesota Vikings (+350) - Last week's Eagles vs. Rams game heaped a smorgasbord of early Christmas gifts on Minnesota. L.A.'s loss means the Vikings are now in sole possession of second place in the NFC, and the only team ahead of them no longer has its starting quarterback. Minnesota's schedule is soft the rest of the way.

Philadelphia Eagles (+450) - There is at least some good news for the Eagles. Their 43-35 win over Los Angeles wrapped up the NFC East (no other team in the NFL has clinched a division). Moreover, Nick Foles has proven himself to be a capable quarterback in this league. Finally, Philly still has the No. 1 NFC seed in its grasp.

New Orleans Saints (+500) - The Saints have a lot of work to do if they want to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. Drew Brees and company are one game back of Minnesota for the second seed, and they would also lose a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Rams (also 9-4). A huge home game against Atlanta in Week 16 looms large.

Los Angeles Rams (+600) - Los Angeles could not finish off Philadelphia even after Wentz exited. That was a critical battle for playoff position in the NFC, as the Rams went into last Sunday's showdown at 9-3 with the Eagles 10-2. L.A. travels to Seattle this week. The Falcons, Panthers, and Seahawks are all +800 fifth choices.

Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge

More home runs: Stanton (-160) or Judge (+140) - Judge's sample size is much smaller. In his rookie season, the 25-year-old bashed 52 homers in 155 games. Stanton (59 HRs this past year) is a proven perennial MVP candidate. But the key for him is to stay healthy (has played more than 123 games only three times in seven seasons).

More strikeouts: Stanton (+250) or Judge (-300) - A whopping 31 of Judge's 48 postseason at-bats resulted in a home run (four) or strikeout (27). That K-per-AB ratio was even more alarming than his regular-season clip (208 in 542 at-bats). In Stanton's three close-to-full seasons, he has struck out 166, 170, and 163 times.

More than 300.5 combined strikeouts (-130) - Simple math (208+163) shows that New York's version of the bash brothers combined to strike out 371 times this past season. Both stayed healthy the whole way, which is unlikely-at least in Stanton's case-to happen again. A year of MLB action under his belt may also help Judge.

More than 104.5 combined home runs (+105) - In the form of each other, both players will have more protection in the lineup than they did in 2018. That could increase their number of hittable pitches and, in turn, home runs. Judge and Stanton combined for 111 in 2017, but-again-it is paramount that they avoid injury.

Non-semifinal New Year's Six bowl games

Cotton Bowl: Ohio State (-7) vs. USC - This is the consolation prize-if it can be considered any prize at all-for Ohio State, which finished one spot out of the College Football Playoff. USC also put itself somewhat in the mix thanks to a similarly impressive resume. These two conference champs have combined to win nine straight.

Fiesta Bowl: Penn State ( -2) vs. Washington - Last year Washington was in the College Football Playoff and Penn State was in the position that Ohio State is now. This time around the Nittany Lions contended early, reaching the No. 2 ranking before losing to the Buckeyes and Michigan State. The Huskies do not yet have a big win in 2017.

Orange Bowl: Wisconsin (-6.5) vs. Miami (FL) - Both teams recently played in what amounted to national quarterfinals. Previously unbeaten Wisconsin lost the Big Ten Championship to Ohio State. Once 10-0, Miami suffered a second straight defeat by falling to Clemson in the ACC Championship. At least the 'Canes get to stay at home.

Peach Bowl: Auburn (-9.5) vs. Central Florida - Auburn was the toast of the nation when it recovered from two early-season losses to beat both Georgia and Alabama. That propelled to the Tigers to a virtual quarterfinal in the SEC Championship, but Georgia got revenge. Soon-to-depart Scott Frost will coach undefeated UCF.

Champions League

Manchester City (+250) - The round of 16 Champions League draw was made on Monday, pitting Man City against FC Basel. City has never won a Champions League title or even played in a final, but the club is looking more formidable than usual. The Sky Blues went 5-1 in group play and they are also dominating the Premier League.

Bayern Munich (+500) - Bayern Munich went to three Champions League finals in the span of four years from 2010 through 2013 (won it in 2013) but has not been back since. As usual, though, the Reds are owning the German Bundesliga through 15 matches this season. They are set for a round of 16 meeting with Turkey's Besiktas JK.

Paris St.-Germain (+500) - Two round of 16 showdowns stand out, at least on paper: Barcelona vs. Chelsea and Real Madrid vs. Paris St.-Germain. The latter, of course, pits Cristiano Ronaldo against Neymar. Neymar's Paris side went 5-0-1 in Group B along with Bayern Munich and earned the top seed thanks to a plus-21 goal differential.

Real Madrid (+700) - Spanish Clubs have monopolized the trophy over the past four years, with Real Madrid lifting it three times and Barcelona winning once. Ronaldo and company advanced out of Group H with a 4-1-1 record, finishing runner-up behind Tottenham. A date with PSG won't be easy. Barcelona is also a +700 fourth choice.

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Sports Betting Futures Odds: Wentz, Stanton Shake Up Some Odds

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