Once again, basketball and baseball will headline today’s edition of the Best Games To Bet On.
Our first game features a highly-anticipated clash between two of the best college basketball programs in the country, as the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels battle it out at the NRG Stadium in Houston for the prize of being dubbed as this year’s national champions.
Following shortly, it’s going to be the Los Angeles Angels’ turn to make some noise at Chase Field, when they kick off their 2016 campaign against the visiting Chicago Cubs. And needless to say, this interleague series-opener is bound to be a really good one with Jake Arrieta and Garrett Richards going head-to-head on the mound.
Let’s now read on below for a quick look at these two appetizing games. Meanwhile, you may also check out our preview of the Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves or Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres.
Villanova Wildcats vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (9:19 PM ET)
Line: Villanova Wildcats (+2.5) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (-2.5); total: 150.0 – view all March Madness lines
But standing in their way are the Villanova Wildcats, who’ve been arguably more merciless than the Tar Heels throughout the tournament. The Wildcats enter this championship game coming off a ridiculous 44-point destruction of the Oklahoma Sooners last Saturday. In that game, Villanova’s defense, which is only giving up 60.4 points in the last five games, was on full display as it limited Buddy Hield to just nine points and the entire Sooners team to just 51 points.
It’ll also be very interesting how the Wildcats’ defense will hold up stay against an offensive powerhouse in North Carolina. If it manages to hold the Tar Heels below the 80-point mark, Villanova might just be able to win this one. If not though, you already know what’ll happen.
Villanova is 5-0 ATS in the past five games, while UNC is 4-1 ATS in the same stretch.
Writer’s Prediction
It’s really hard to say, but North Carolina’s size and offensive prowess is looking almost unstoppable right now. Hence, the Tar Heels (-2.5) win it by single-digits.
Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels (10:30 PM ET)
Line: Chicago Cubs (-138) vs. Los Angeles Angels (+128); total: 6.5 – view all MLB lines
It’s no surprise that the Cubs have selected Jake Arrieta in this season-opener opposite the Angels.
Arrieta’s coming off a sensational 2015 campaign, during which he ranked first in the National League with 22 wins and was second in the majors with an ERA of 1.77. These accomplishments basically explain why he also won the NL Cy Young Award.
However, a reason for concern here would be the fact that the Halos have gotten the better of of Arrieta throughout his six years in the majors. He holds a 0-1 win-loss record along with an embarrassing 7.47 ERA across three career games.
As for the Angels, they’ll be hoping that Garrett Richards can provide them an excellent showing in the mound. Richards, who went 15-12 with a 3.65 ERA last season, has never started against the Cubs in his career but played really well across 17 home starts in 2015, garnering a 2.92 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and a .204 opponents’ batting average.
Chicago is 3-1 in its last four road trips at Angel Stadium. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is 6-4 in its previous 10 road games.
Writer’s Prediction
Arrieta struggles and the Angels (+128) win it, 5-2.
Create a betting account now, and don’t miss to bet on these two big-time matchups.
