Sports Betting Weekend: NFL Back on Board

The NFL is back this weekend with the preseason opener, the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. This year’s Hall of Fame Game matchup is the Indianapolis Colts versus the Green Bay Packers. The odds at online sportsbook Bovada have this game down as a pick’em.

On the diamond, AL West rivals will clash this weekend as the division-leading Texas Rangers try to pad their lead when they visit the Houston Astros.

The Rangers have completely dominated this matchup so far this season. In 10 games against the Astros the Rangers are 9-1, which includes a perfect 3-0 record in Houston. And the domination isn’t just limited to this season as Texas is a stout 17-3 in their last 20 games against the Astros.

In the National League a matchup between division leaders tops the ticket as the Washington Nationals host the San Francisco Giants. The Nationals and Giants met up in a four-game series in San Francisco last weekend and split 2-2. It was strong series for the pitchers as all four games went UNDER the posted total. At home Washington has won five straight against the Giants and they’re 12-2 in their last 14.

Also on the MLB slate this weekend, the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals meet up in an ALCS rematch. Earlier this season Toronto swept a three-game series against the Royals at home. Toronto is 5-2 in their last seven against the Royals, but in Kansas City the Royals are 5-1 in their last six versus Toronto.

NASCAR ditches the oval again this week with the second road race of the season, the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen. Joey Logano won at the Glen last year, and Kyle Busch has won this race twice before and will be among the favorites at the sportsbooks. Earlier this season in the other road race on the Sprint Cup schedule at Sonoma Tony Stewart was a surprise winner.

Finally, the UFC sets up shop at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday night for UFC Fight Night 92. The main event on the fight card is a featherweight bout between Yair Rodriguez and Alex Caceres. Rodriguez is heavily favored at -305 at Bovada, and Caceres is a +235 underdog.