Browsing: bets

• 

  David PurdumNov 10, 2025, 03:35 PM ET

  Close

  • Joined ESPN in 2014
  • Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008

Prominent U.S. sportsbooks are establishing a nationwide $200 betting limit on baseball wagers centered on individual pitches and prohibiting such bets from being included in parlays in an attempt to decrease the incentive for manipulation, Major League Baseball announced Monday.

MLB has been in discussions with its authorized sportsbook partners about potential changes to betting menus and limits since the summer, after unusual wagering was detected on individual pitches by Cleveland Guardians starter Luis Ortiz in a pair of June games.

Editor’s Picks

• 
• 

1 Related

On Sunday, federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment that charged Ortiz and Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase for their alleged roles in a gambling scheme centered on whether individual pitches would be balls or strikes as well as the over/under on the velocity of some pitches. According to the indictment, gamblers won approximately $450,000 on bets on individual pitches during the alleged scheme.

MLB said reducing the amount bettors can win on such markets will disincentivize attempts at manipulation. Baseball has worked with the sportsbook industry over the past seven years to “uphold our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said.

“I commend the industry for working with us to take action on a national solution to address the risks posed by these pitch-level markets, which are particularly vulnerable to integrity concerns,” Manfred said, adding that he had received guidance on the issue from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.

DeWine called for a ban on such micro-proposition bets after MLB launched its investigation in July into the suspicious betting activity on Ortiz and Clase.

“By limiting the ability to place large wagers on micro-prop bets, Major League Baseball is taking affirmative steps to protect the integrity of the game and reduce the incentives to participate in improper betting schemes,” DeWine said in the release. “I urge other sports leagues to follow Major League Baseball’s example with similar action.”

DraftKings and FanDuel, the two largest sportsbook operators, said they have agreed to adjust their baseball betting menus to abide by MLB’s requests and believe the legal market’s ability to detect bad actors will act as a deterrent to combat future issues.

“In collaboration with Major League Baseball, we have adjusted certain bet types to further deter bad actors while helping maintain fairness and trust in the game,” a DraftKings spokesperson told ESPN.

FanDuel president Christian Genetski said the legal betting industry will continue to collaborate with sports leagues and take steps to combat corruption.

“This initiative illustrates our unwavering commitment to building a legal and regulated market that roots out abuses by those who seek to undermine fair competition and damage the integrity of the games we love,” Genetski said.

Source link

• 

  David PurdumOct 30, 2025, 06:43 PM ET

  Close

  • Joined ESPN in 2014
  • Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008

In the wake of the NBA betting scandal, the league and its partner sportsbooks continue to review what types of bets are most vulnerable to manipulation and how much bettors should be allowed to wager on such bets, sources familiar with the discussions told ESPN on Thursday.

Before the season, the NBA identified missed free throws, fouls and turnovers as types of wagers susceptible to manipulation and asked its partner sportsbooks not to offer those bets, according to the sources. FanDuel and DraftKings told ESPN that they had agreed to the NBA’s request. FanDuel did not offer such wagers in past seasons; DraftKings had offered in-game betting on players making or missing free throws, but those offerings were not available before a game.

The discussions, which are ongoing, also include what limits are appropriate for wagers that are most vulnerable to manipulation, the sources said. Betting limits on player prop bets are typically lower than on the point spread on a game, for example.

“Prop bets on individual player performance can raise heightened integrity concerns and warrant additional scrutiny,” an NBA spokesperson told ESPN, adding that the league will continue to work closely with its sportsbook partners and evaluate current offerings on an ongoing basis.

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

Prop bets on player statistics, such as the over/under on points or rebounds, are under increased scrutiny after federal authorities alleged that veteran NBA guard Terry Rozier conspired with gamblers in a scheme centered on his props.

According to the indictment, Rozier informed a childhood friend of his plans to remove himself early from a March 2023 game, and the friend allegedly sold the information to gamblers for approximately $100,000.

Sportsbooks reported receiving an influx of betting interest on the under on Rozier’s statistics ahead of the game, enough to cause bookmakers to take his prop bets off the board hours ahead of time. Rozier played just over nine minutes before leaving the game, citing a foot injury. The indictment alleges that bettors were able to wager $257,700 on the under on Rozier’s statistics for the game, spread across multiple sportsbooks.

On the morning of the game, a bettor at a Mississippi sportsbook placed 30 bets all on the under on Rozier’s statistics, totaling $13,759, according to betting records obtained by ESPN in July.

DraftKings said the betting scandal shows how the industry is effectively monitoring for suspicious betting activity.

“Recent events demonstrate that the regulated sports betting industry is working as intended — fostering an environment of collaboration between operators, leagues, regulators, law enforcement and integrity monitoring services to help uncover suspicious activity,” a DraftKings spokesperson told ESPN in a statement.

FanDuel said that it maintains an open dialogue with the leagues and that its risk and trading team monitors games for integrity issues.

“From the start, our collaboration with the NBA has helped us determine what bets not to offer, like fouls, turnovers or missed free throws, and in partnership with the league, we’ve been able to evolve our offering, including removing props on players with two-way or ten-day contracts,” a FanDuel spokesperson told ESPN in a statement.

Ahead of the 2024-25 season, the NBA asked sportsbooks not to offer betting on the under on players on two-way or 10-day contracts after former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter, who was on a two-way contract, was banned from the league for his alleged participation in a gambling scheme based on his prop bets. Porter admitted to manipulating his performance in two games during the 2023-24 season so that his bettors could profit on unders. Some of the same bettors charged in the Porter scheme were named in the indictment involving Rozier last week.

Player prop bets have become increasingly popular, particularly in the NBA, and represent a growing percentage of the amount wagered on basketball. They are especially popular in parlays, which increase payout amounts on winning bets.

Although its partner sportsbooks might acquiesce to requests to remove certain bets, the NBA does not have as much influence over what daily fantasy operators, prediction markets and offshore sportsbook operators offer.

The Sports Betting Alliance, a lobbying group that represents major U.S. sportsbooks, said any blanket ban on prop bets would push bettors toward illegal and unregulated platforms that “lack oversight, offer no consumer protections and refuse to cooperate with integrity investigations.”

“That creates a dangerous blind spot for regulators and leagues, preventing them from effectively identifying and addressing threats to game integrity,” Jeremy Kudon, SBA president, told ESPN in a statement.

Source link

• Sean Allen

  Close

  Sean Allen

  Special to ESPN.com

  Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.

• Victoria Matiash

  Close

  Victoria Matiash

  Special to ESPN.com

  Victoria Matiash is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. Victoria has been a part of the fantasy team since 2010.

Oct 17, 2025, 07:00 AM ET

The 2025-26 NHL season is less than two weeks old, so all small-sample warnings still apply.

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

But the fact that it’s early means it’s also not too late to find some values on futures bets. As part of our updated set of 1-32 Power Rankings this week, ESPN analysts Sean Allen (Eastern Conference teams) and Victoria Matiash (Western Conference teams) also came up with a captivating futures bet for every club.

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our list.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Oct. 6. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.

All odds accurate as of publish time. For more, go to ESPN BET.

ESPN Illustration

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 100%

Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup (+800). The first two games showcased Carolina’s depth. The fourth line was on the ice for three goals, and the third defensive pairing for five, signaling a team where contributions come from every corner of the roster. That’s the kind of balance that can carry a Cup run.

Next seven days: @ LA (Oct. 18), @ VGK (Oct. 20), @ COL (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 75%

Stars win the Western Conference (+475). The Stars rank fourth in conference odds, behind Edmonton, Vegas and Colorado, which adds some appeal to the number. Plus they’ve picked up head-to-head wins over Central rivals Winnipeg, Colorado and Minnesota to start the season.

Next seven days: @ STL (Oct. 18), vs. CBJ (Oct. 21), vs. LA (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 90%

Avalanche win the Stanley Cup (+900). Admirably balanced altogether, this roster features one of the most dangerous forwards in Nathan MacKinnon and the game’s best defender, Cale Makar. Their 4-0-1 record through five games doesn’t serve as a turnoff either.

Next seven days: vs. BOS (Oct. 18), @ UTA (Oct. 21), vs. CAR (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 62.5%

Leon Draisaitl Rocket Richard Trophy winner (+325). After winning the Rocket Richard by a comfortable margin last season despite missing 11 games, Draisaitl doesn’t look any less effective at filling the net this time around.

Next seven days: @ NJ (Oct. 18), @ DET (Oct. 19), @ OTT (Oct. 21), vs. MTL (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 50%

Panthers win the Presidents’ Trophy (14-1). No Aleksander Barkov or Matthew Tkachuk, and yet the Panthers are off to a strong start. After three consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances — preceded by a Presidents’ Trophy season — why couldn’t they emerge as the league’s top regular-season team again?

Next seven days: @ BUF (Oct. 18), @ BOS (Oct. 21), vs. PIT (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 80%

Jack Eichel Art Ross Trophy winner (20-1). After collecting a career-high 94 points in 77 games this past season, Eichel appears determined to kick it up another notch. His sizzling start lays a solid foundation in the race for most points.

Next seven days: vs. CGY (Oct. 18), vs. CAR (Oct. 20)

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 75%

Alex Ovechkin Rocket Richard Trophy winner (50-1). At 40 years old, Ovechkin isn’t the favorite anymore, but that’s what makes this wager fun. The NHL’s greatest goal scorer still finds ways to produce, and if the Capitals’ offense clicks again, a push for one more Rocket Richard isn’t out of the question.

Next seven days: vs. MIN (Oct. 17), vs. VAN (Oct. 19), vs. SEA (Oct. 21)

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 80%

Ivan Demidov Calder Trophy winner (+400). Demidov showed flashes of elite talent last season and into the playoffs. He’s no longer the early-season favorite, so to claim consecutive rookie of the year honors for Montreal (after Lane Hutson won last season), Demidov will need to make his mark across all situations.

Next seven days: vs. NYR (Oct. 18), vs. BUF (Oct. 20), @ CGY (Oct. 22), @ EDM (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 75%

Red Wings to make the playoffs (+270). Patrick Kane is off to a nice start, exactly what Detroit needs to take the next step. Who the Red Wings bump out of the playoff picture remains up for debate, but win enough games and it won’t matter. Hopefully John Gibson’s early stumble was just a minor hiccup.

Next seven days: vs. TB (Oct. 17), vs. EDM (Oct. 19), @ BUF (Oct. 22), @ NYI (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 60%

David Pastrnak Hart Trophy winner (30-1). Pastrnak is Boston’s offensive leader and everything starts with him. If the Bruins exceed expectations and contend for the postseason, Pastrnak will be a Hart Trophy contender. At 30-1, it seems like a long shot, but only seven players have shorter odds.

Next seven days: @ COL (Oct. 18), @ UTA (Oct. 19), vs. FLA (Oct. 21), vs. ANA (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 75%

Jack Hughes Art Ross Trophy winner (40-1). Jack Hughes is the heart of the Devils’ offense and capable of elite point production. His playmaking and scoring make him an Art Ross candidate if he can stay healthy. At 40-1, it’s a long shot, but Hughes’ skill and role could align for a high-point season.

Next seven days: vs. EDM (Oct. 18), @ TOR (Oct. 21), vs. MIN (Oct. 22)

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 75%

Jets regular-season total points over 98.5 (-115). They amassed 116 points in 2024-25! The Jets aren’t that much worse without Nikolaj Ehlers. Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele and crew should break 100 points with ease.

Next seven days: vs. NSH (Oct. 18), @ CGY (Oct. 20), vs. SEA (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 60%

Auston Matthews Selke Trophy winner (20-1).Matthews’ game continues to evolve as he has become one of the league’s most effective defensive centers. If he keeps scoring while maintaining a defensive edge, a Selke nod is within reach. With two-time defending champ Aleksander Barkov out, the path is clearer.

Next seven days: vs. SEA (Oct. 18), vs. NJ (Oct. 21)

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 75%

Joey Daccord Vezina Trophy winner (35-1). If the Kraken enjoy even modest success this season, their No. 1 netminder will likely deserve a good chunk of the credit. When in top form, Daccord performs in near step with the league’s best, but he needs more consistency.

Next seven days: @ TOR (Oct. 18), @ PHI (Oct. 20), @ WSH (Oct. 21)

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 50%

Jimmy Snuggerud Calder Trophy winner (+650). The 21-year-old is right up there with Ivan Demidov, Matthew Schaefer and other talents from this rookie class. Regular turns in the Blues’ top six and on the power play should help Snuggerud remain in the Calder race all season long.

Next seven days: vs. DAL (Oct. 18), vs. LA (Oct. 21), vs. UTA (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 50%

Kirill Kaprizov Hart Trophy winner (+750). Nine points in four games is an impressive start indeed. A healthy Kaprizov has as legit a chance at being named most valuable to his team as any other member of the league’s elite. Earning a rest during the Olympics — Russia isn’t competing — should also give the Wild winger an edge during the final stretch.

Next seven days: @ WSH (Oct. 17), @ PHI (Oct. 18), @ NYR (Oct. 20), @ NJ (Oct. 22)

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 50%

Beckett Sennecke Calder Trophy winner (16-1). How about a three-game point streak to launch one’s NHL career? The 19-year-old is already attracting attention from fans outside of Anaheim. An early outside favorite to challenge Demidov, Schaefer and Jimmy Snuggerud, Sennecke likely won’t sport these odds for long.

Next seven days: @ CHI (Oct. 19), @ NSH (Oct. 21), @ BOS (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 41.7%

Rangers win the Presidents’ Trophy (33-1). The Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy in 1991-92, missed the playoffs the following season, but reclaimed the award with a new head coach in 1993-94. The 2023-24 Presidents’ Trophy winners missed the playoffs last season and have a new coach. Can history repeat itself for a team that still has the players to rank among the league’s best?

Next seven days: @ MTL (Oct. 18), vs. MIN (Oct. 20), vs. SJ (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 37.5%

Nikita Kucherov Art Ross Trophy winner (+600). Kucherov remains the heartbeat of the Lightning offense, blending elite playmaking with an elite scorer’s precision. After back-to-back Art Ross wins, he shows no signs of slowing down. With Tampa Bay’s reliance on his production, another scoring title is within reach.

Next seven days: @ DET (Oct. 17), @ CBJ (Oct. 18), vs. CHI (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 60%

Roman Josi Norris Trophy winner (40-1). For the number, Josi presents as an extra attractive option to seize the Norris. He’s healthy, looks his effective self and has won it before (2020), so voters won’t be afraid to put him on their ballots.

Next seven days: @ WPG (Oct. 18), vs. ANA (Oct. 21), vs. VAN (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 60%

Penguins regular-season total points under 75.5 (-110). The Penguins managed 80 points last season, but the need for a rebuild is becoming unavoidable. If — or when — they start trading players, a slide toward the Eastern Conference basement starts to look like a pretty reasonable wager.

Next seven days: @ SJ (Oct. 18), vs. VAN (Oct. 21), @ FLA (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 50%

Blackhawks regular-season total points over 68.5 (-115). Is this Chicago team good for an additional eight points after earning 61 last season? Judging how they’re battling to start the campaign — highlighted by Wednesday’s 8-3 trouncing of the Blues — probably.

Next seven days: vs. VAN (Oct. 17), vs. ANA (Oct. 19), @ TB (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 30%

Anze Kopitar Selke Trophy winner (20-1). Why not send one of the greatest two-way forwards into retirement with a third Selke? Sean Couturier is the last active skater to have won the award, back in 2019-20. Patrice Bergeron (retired) and Aleksander Barkov (injured) have owned it since. Kopitar has as robust a shot as other leading candidates.

Next seven days: vs. CAR (Oct. 18), @ STL (Oct. 21), @ DAL (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 50%

Mammoth regular-season total points over 90.5 (-115). This talented squad is expected to take another step forward after finishing with 89 points this past season. The additions of JJ Peterka, Brandon Tanev and Nate Schmidt will help in moving the Mammoth forward.

Next seven days: vs. SJ (Oct. 17), vs. BOS (Oct. 19), vs. COL (Oct. 21), @ STL (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 37.5%

Flyers to miss the playoffs (-375). With no front-runners for any individual awards, uncertainty in goal and a roster that still needs more seasoning before it can compete, another lottery pick feels like the safer prediction for Philadelphia.

Next seven days: vs. MIN (Oct. 18), vs. SEA (Oct. 20), @ OTT (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 25%

Blue Jackets to make the playoffs (+200). Kirill Marchenko is already showing sparks, with Sean Monahan steadying the line as his pivot. The Jackets came close last season, and if Jet Greaves can elevate the goaltending tandem, Columbus has a shot to cross the playoff threshold if it can reverse course following a slow start.

Next seven days: vs. TB (Oct. 18), @ DAL (Oct. 21)

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 40%

Linus Ullmark Vezina Trophy winner (30-1). A former Vezina winner on a team with playoff ambitions and a heavy workload is a strong formula. If the Senators finish above the wild-card spots, Ullmark will be a major reason why.

Next seven days: vs. NYI (Oct. 18), vs. EDM (Oct. 21), vs. PHI (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50%

Quinn Hughes Norris Trophy winner (+260). After winning it in 2024, he finished third in voting last spring, despite playing only 68 games. Any minor stumble by Cale Makar, and Hughes could find himself leading the Norris pack again in a few months.

Next seven days: @ CHI (Oct. 17), @ WSH (Oct. 19), @ PIT (Oct. 21), @ NSH (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 33.3%

Michael Misa Calder Trophy winner (30-1). There’s no discounting 134 points in 65 games, even at the junior level. Misa has nothing left to accomplish with the Saginaw Spirit. If offered a genuine chance to contribute with this rebuilding Sharks team, the teen center could make a splash in his first NHL season.

Next seven days: @ UTA (Oct. 17), vs. PIT (Oct. 18), @ NYI (Oct. 21), @ NYR (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 25%

Islanders to miss the playoffs (-320). It’s always been an uphill battle, and while the payout is modest, it may be the smarter bet. Leading the league in 5-on-5 goals allowed is a red flag, meaning the Isles will need Ilya Sorokin to carry them if they want any shot at the playoffs.

Next seven days: @ OTT (Oct. 18), vs. SJ (Oct. 21), vs. DET (Oct. 23)

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 20%

Dustin Wolf Vezina Trophy winner (30-1). He earned a single vote last year! Hey, it’s a start. The Flames’ MVP is loosely expected to earn one or more Vezinas before all is said and done in his career. Wolf will undoubtedly get enough reps to impress in Calgary’s crease again this season.

Next seven days: @ VGK (Oct. 18), vs. WPG (Oct. 20), vs. MTL (Oct. 22)

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 25%

Tage Thompson Rocket Richard Trophy winner (20-1). Thompson is capable of leading the league in goals, but the supporting cast isn’t always there. With the added incentive of an Olympic roster to make, this wager banks on Thompson once again carrying the Sabres.

Next seven days: vs. FLA (Oct. 18), @ MTL (Oct. 20), vs. DET (Oct. 22)

Source link

In the end, the Red Sox werenâ€t good enough.

There were, along the way, illusions to the contrary. Take, for instance, a scintillating performance from ace Garrett Crochet in the AL wild-card opener that put Boston in the driver’s seat. Still, it proved to be false hope. The Red Sox faltered late in a goose-bumping Game 2 before being absolutely dominated by rookie hurler Cam Schlittler in an all-deciding Game 3.

Advertisement

Why exactly Bostonâ€s topsy-turvy 2025 season ended early can be chalk-talked into oblivion. A series of unfortunate, late-season injuries to star rookie Roman Anthony and No. 2 starter Lucas Giolito undoubtedly played a role in the teamâ€s downfall. So did a string of critical mistakes in Game 2 that tipped the scales toward the Yankees, namely a failed bunt attempt by Ceddanne Rafaela, a botched diving catch by Jarren Duran and an overly passive baserunning decision by third-base coach Kyle Hudson on what would’ve been the go-ahead run. And sure, maybe manager Alex Cora left rookie southpaw Connelly Early out to dry a little too long in Game 3.

But overanalyzing such minutiae is a waste of time.

The 2025 Red Sox were simply not capable of winning a World Series. They didnâ€t have the arms, they didnâ€t have the bats, and they didn’t have the gloves. The roster, all along, was too flawed to overcome. Against the Yankees, the Sox were effectively rolling out a lineup of Alex Bregman, Trevor Story, a defensive specialist in Rafaela, a solid catcher in Carlos Narváez and five platoon players. Crucially, nobody in the lineup except for Story instilled anything resembling fear in the hearts and minds of Yankees pitchers.

Advertisement

I wonder if Rafael Devers watched the wild-card series.

[Get more Red Sox news: Boston team feed]

And while the rotation showed admirably in the wild-card round, it was unavoidably obvious that even with Giolitoâ€s unexpected absence, the staff was an arm or two short. That void on the roster shines a spotlight on the clubâ€s underwhelming trade deadline. Yes, the teamâ€s premier acquisition, starter Dustin May, spent the series on the IL, but he was far from the game-changing, needle-moving force that might have swung the thing in Bostonâ€s favor.

So where do the Red Sox go from here? Are there encouraging conclusions to draw from this most tumultuous season? Or are the Sox paper tigers in a division that remains an unforgiving jungle?

Advertisement

Letâ€s start with the good.

Garrett Crochet proved to be a foundational piece to build a team around. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

(Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox via Getty Images)

Anthonyâ€s emergence was the most important development of Bostonâ€s season. Anybody, fan or professional ball-knower, who saw the 21-year-old in person this year knows that he is a difference-making hitter. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, who has earned criticism for some of his maneuvers since taking over in the fall of 2023, deserves kudos for signing the powerful outfielder to a long-term deal. Anthony will make a ton of All-Star Games and serve as the centerpiece of Bostonâ€s lineup for years to come.

The arrivals and successes of a pair of young southpaws, Early and the mustached Payton Tolle, also provide reason for optimism. Both hurlers should compete for rotation spots next season, evidence that Bostonâ€s pitching development apparatus has taken a nice step forward. Storyâ€s offensive bounce-back, even though heâ€s under contract through only 2027, makes the near-term outlook rosier than it might have been. Bregman was a great fit as well, despite the seven-week quad injury that derailed his season.

Advertisement

But there are reasons for concern as well.

Kristian Campbell made the big-league club out of camp and showed flashes at the plate in April before falling off a cliff in May. He was demoted on June 20 and never reappeared in the bigs. Campbell is currently a defensive liability without a real position, which gives him a shorter leash to find consistency with the bat. Getting him back on track is crucial. The same is true for fellow big-name prospect Marcelo Mayer, whose 2025 ended early due to a wrist injury. Mayerâ€s inability to hit left-handed pitching is a real worry spot, as is his inability to stay on the field. He needs a healthy 2026 to get back on track.

Bostonâ€s offensive position-player group still resembles a puzzle with no edge pieces. The Red Sox probably need to trade one of their two lefty-hitting outfielders, but both Wilyer Abreu and Jarren Duran took massive steps back this season, hurting their trade value. Players such as Nick Sogard, Nate Eaton and David Hamilton were helpful at times but are not impactful enough to form the backbone of a World Series contender. Masataka Yoshida finished the year hot but isn’t a particularly valuable player as a DH with no power who struggles against same-sided pitching.

Advertisement

Oh, and Bregman is a sure bet to activate his opt-out and retest free agency. Even if the Sox re-sign him, the lineup feels at least two bats short.

And while the club has more financial flexibility after dealing away the Devers contract, there is legitimate skepticism that Breslow and the ownership will be aggressive enough in free agency to add the necessary pieces. That dynamic, plus the disappointing seasons from Campbell, Mayer, Duran, Abreu and Yoshida, calls into question whether this core is talented enough to compete for a championship.

Thatâ€s unfortunate, given just how magnificent of a win the Crochet trade and extension have proven to be. The southpaw is an aceâ€s ace, the type of pitcher strong enough to carry the hopes and expectations of a city as demanding as Boston. But as weâ€ve seen with Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh and Tarik Skubal in Detroit, one Cy Young cannot singlehandedly win a title.

Advertisement

As such, Bostonâ€s front office needs to be more proactive in taking advantage of this window. Simply employing an arm such as Crochet makes the Red Sox a force to be reckoned with, but itâ€s reasonable to doubt that they will make other necessary moves on the margins, as their half-measure approach at this yearâ€s deadline showcased.

Thereâ€s an enticing foundation here, but whether the building gets built remains an open question.

Source link

The Ryder Cup is over and we’re back to the FedEx Cup Fall season, where a ton of pros are playing for PGA Tour cards and priority in 2026.

This week it’s the Sanderson Farms Championship at The Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Miss., where the favorites to win according to Fanatics Sportsbook are Akshay Bhatia and Min Woo Lee, who are both +2000.

But there’s also a couple of other players you should keep your eyes on, according to GOLF Subpar podcast co-hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz.

For their Fanatics Sportsbook bets of the week, Knost picked Alex Smalley to top 20 (+170) and Stoltz picked Max Homa to top 10 (+400).

“I’m going with a big return,” Stoltz said. “This is a man who has played in a Ryder Cup, played in a Presidents Cup, didn’t have his best stuff this past year. He’s been working hard on his game and I don’t expect him to be down for long. In this field I think [the odds] are pretty good.”

You can find complete Fanatics Sportsbook betting odds for the Sanderson Farms Championship here, and you can listen to the full episode of the latest Subpar (the best of Ryder Cup week) here or watch on the YouTube channel here.

Use code SUBPAR at sign-up to claim a welcome offer

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Collin Morikawa added some much-needed levity to a week that has been dominated by talk of player stipends and perceived greed.

After deftly sidestepping the issue of stipends – which are being given to U.S. Ryder Cup players this week at Bethpage – Morikawa was asked if there was anyone in the U.S. team room who was particularly motivating.

“It’s actually been great. The vice captains we have are definitely trying to get into our wallets and in our heads, and that’s like something you normally don’t get,†Morikawa said.

Morikawa explained that during practice rounds on the Black Course, the vice captains, led by Brandt Snedeker and Kevin Kisner, have been challenging players with an assortment of prop bets.

“I’ve had a lot of prop bets. I’ve had a lot of fairway bets, birdie bets,†Morikawa explained. “I’m up on [Snedeker] but not by much. Xander [Schauffele] is taking the cake this week [from Kisner]. I’m positive on Sneds. Sneds is the main one that I think we all love to pick on and we love to have him as our bank.â€

As for the “other†financial questions this week and the $200,000 stipend U.S. players are receiving from the PGA of America for their participation, Morikawa had a more nuanced answer to what has become a complicated and polarizing issue.

“There’s no number. It could be zero. It could be one dollar. There isn’t a right or a wrong amount,†Morikawa said when asked if he thought the team was being “fairly†compensated. “All 12 of us here playing, when we tee it up on Friday, and before this all started, we just want to win the Ryder Cup. We want to win it for ourselves. We want to win it for our country.

“When we stood out [on the first tee] two days ago and we got speeches from the Nassau Players Club and we got speeches from the firefighter and his son, look, I’m not an emotional guy, but like there was emotions. And sometimes it just hits home.â€

The PGA of America altered its policy for Ryder Cup player compensation last December, increasing the amount given to each player for charity to $300,000 and adding the $200,000 stipend that can be used however the player wants.

The move has been questioned by those from Europe who have been quick to point out that those playing for the Continent are not compensated.

For those hoping to get in on the betting action for the 2025 Ryder Cup, there are seemingly endless ways to wager. Here is a look at some of the bets and props available on DraftKings:

Who will win the 2025 Ryder Cup?

U.S.: -145
Europe: +165
Tie (Europe retains): +1100

Winning team without Scottie Scheffler’s matches?

U.S.: -105
Europe: +110
Tie: +850

Foursomes winner?

U.S.: +115
Europe: +135
Tie: +450

Four-balls winner?

U.S.: -105
Europe: +165
Tie: +450

Team to lead after Day 1?

U.S.: +100
Europe: +150
Tie: +475

Top point scorer?

+300: Scottie Scheffler
+600: Rory McIlroy
+850: Bryson DeChambeau
+900: Jon Rahm
+950: Tommy Fleetwood

Top American point scorer?

+200: Scottie Scheffler
+475: Bryson DeChambeau
+900: Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay
+1100: Russell Henley

Top European point scorer?

+300: Rory McIlroy
+400: Jon Rahm
+450: Tommy Fleetwood
+850: Ludvig Aberg
+1000: Tyrrell Hatton

Top English point scorer?

+110: Tommy Fleetwood
+250: Tyrrell Hatton
+400: Matt Fitzpatrick
+500: Justin Rose

Top point scorer among rookies?

+200: Russell Henley
+250: Cameron Young
+330: Ben Griffin
+425: J.J. Spaun
+750: Rasmus Hojgaard

Top point scorer among captain’s picks?

+350: Jon Rahm
+550: Patrick Cantlay
+750: Ludvig Aberg, Cameron Young
+900: Justin Thomas

Player to score winning point?

+1100: No winning point (tie)
+1500: Bryson DeChambeau
+1600: Russell Henley
+1700: Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, J.J. Spaun, Harris English, Ben Griffin

No holes lost in a match?

Yes: +180
No: -250

Hole-in-one?

Yes: +400
No: -600

Number of tied matches?

Over 4.5: +100
Under 4.5: -125

Number of matches to reach 18th hole?

Over 10.5: -115
Under 10.5: -110

Will there be a session sweep?

Yes: +270
No: -360

Correct score?

+1000: U.S., 15-13; U.S., 14.5-13.5
+1100: Tie; U.S., 16-12; U.S., 15.5-12.5; Europe, 14.5-13.5
+1200: U.S., 19-9 or better; U.S., 16.5-11.5; Europe, 15-13

For all odds and bets, click here.