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With so much going on in Tokyo this weekend, we have narrowed our betting sights on a trio of men’s events which include baseball, volleyball and a future play on the 100m gold medalist. We are 2-3 for +0.5u so far with plenty of betting action lined up for the weekend.
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Poland came into the 2020 Olympics as the betting favorite to capture the gold at +175. It hasn’t won a medal since 1976 and sits second in the world rankings but has played like the favorite through four preliminary-round games. Poland leads both groups having won 11 of its 15 sets. They will now face a Canadian team that dropped its second game to Japan 3-1 — a team Poland beat in straight sets.
Poland has the best men’s volleyball player in the world in Wilfredo Leon who is referred to as the Cristiano Ronaldo of volleyball. In its last hree matches, Poland has lost one set and it was in the game versus Venezuela where Leon sat out. He was the top scorer in their 3-0 straight-set win versus Japan which was the third time he’s done that in the tournament.
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Leon and Poland are massive -1000 favorites to beat Canada on Friday night at 8 PM ET, but are paying a much more reasonable -110 to win in straight sets or a -2.5 set handicap.
Prediction: Poland -2.5 vs. Canada (-110 on PointsBet)
MEN’S BASEBALL
Team USA started its 2020 Tokyo Olympics off with a bang against Israel in an 8-1 thrashing. The Americans went 6 for 12 with RISP and were led by No. 3 hitter and DH Tyler Austin who finished 2 for 4 with a homer and six total bases.
Now the US sticks will face a South Korean team that allowed Israel to pot five runs and needed an extra inning to secure the victory. If Israel can score five against the South Koreans and their best starting pitcher, the Americans should have a great chance at topping their team total of 4.5 Saturday morning.
The South Korean bullpen yielded three earned runs over seven innings Thursday in its 6-5 loss. The USA managed five runs off the Israel bullpen and should be able to threaten both the starting and relief pitching of the South Koreans. The US has scored five or more runs in four of their last five matches including qualifying. The first pitch is at 6 AM ET.
Prediction: USA team total Over 4.5 (-120 on PointsBet)
MEN’S 100m FUTURE
The men’s 100m will begin Saturday morning with the finals taking place on Sunday, August 1, at 8:50 AM ET. Usain Bolt has hung up the boosters which means a new 100m champion will be crowned for the first time since 2004.
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USA’s Trayvon Bromell is the betting favorite at +100 after opening at +120. The real mover is fellow American Ronnie Baker who is currently listed at +300 but opened at +600. Baker has posted a 9.85 time this year and beat Bromell at Monaco Diamond League on July 9 with a 9.91. Bromell finished in fifth.
If you’re looking for some action on one of the most popular events at the Summer Olympics, Baker possesses the best value on the board and should push Bromell for top-spot on the podium.
Prediction: men’s 100m outright winner — Ronnie Baker (+300 on PointsBet)
THE PLAYS
- Men’s Volleyball — Poland -2.5 vs. Canada (-110 on PointsBet)
- Men’s baseball — USA team total Over 4.5 (-120 on PointsBet)
- Men’s 100m outright winner — Ronnie Baker (+300 on PointsBet)
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