Friday brings a packed sports betting card, and ProCappers is back with another round of free sports picks, betting predictions and best bets.
The MLB schedule is loaded with 15 games, while the WNBA has four games on the board. College football officially gets underway with Week 0 action, and soccer fans have a major Premier League matchup between Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
As always, our approach is to look for value rather than simply betting the biggest favorites.
MLB Free Picks
Major League Baseball provides the biggest betting board of the day, with games running from the afternoon through late night.
Free Pick: New York Yankees Moneyline
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
Pick: Yankees ML
This is one of the most interesting games on Friday's schedule. Boston enters the series playing excellent baseball, but New York gets the advantage of home field in a game with significant postseason implications.
The Yankees have also been installed as the favorite by the current market, and computer-based projections are leaning toward New York as well.
ProCappers Prediction: Yankees win
MLB Best Bet: Rangers +1.5
Texas Rangers at Milwaukee Brewers
Pick: Rangers +1.5
This is a spot where we're willing to take the extra run and a half rather than pay the price for the Brewers moneyline.
Current computer projections identify Texas +1.5 as one of Friday's better MLB value plays, with the Rangers projected to cover the run line nearly 60% of the time.
Best Bet: Rangers +1.5
MLB Total: Rockies vs. Braves Over 8.5
Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves
Pick: Over 8.5 Runs
This matchup has the ingredients we're looking for in a Friday night baseball total. Atlanta has plenty of offensive firepower, while Colorado games can quickly become high-scoring affairs.
The Over 8.5 is also among the top computer-generated MLB bets on Friday.
Prediction: Over 8.5
MLB Prop Lean: Tarik Skubal Strikeouts/Outs
Los Angeles Dodgers at Detroit Tigers
Tarik Skubal gets a particularly interesting matchup against the Dodgers, and current prop analysis is highlighting his ability to work deep into the game. Skubal enters the matchup with a 2.91 ERA and 0.953 WHIP.
Prop Lean: Skubal Over 17.5 Outs
WNBA Free Picks
Friday's WNBA schedule features Connecticut at Indiana, Portland at Atlanta, Washington at Los Angeles and Toronto at Las Vegas.
Free Pick: Connecticut Sun +17.5
Connecticut Sun at Indiana Fever
Pick: Sun +17.5
We're not necessarily looking for Connecticut to win outright here. The value is in taking the points.
Current projections give Connecticut a better-than-60% probability of covering +17.5, making this one of the more attractive WNBA spread plays on Friday.
Best Bet: Sun +17.5
WNBA Best Bet: Washington Mystics ML
Washington Mystics at Los Angeles Sparks
Pick: Mystics ML
Washington is another WNBA side worth considering Friday night. Current projections give the Mystics roughly a 71% probability of winning outright.
ProCappers Prediction: Mystics win
WNBA Total: Mystics vs. Sparks Over 167.5
If you're looking for a total instead of a side, the Washington-Los Angeles matchup also offers an interesting Over opportunity.
Current projections put the Over 167.5 at approximately a 56% probability.
Pick: Over 167.5
College Football Free Picks
Week 0 of the college football season is officially here, giving bettors an early opportunity to get involved before the full college football schedule arrives.
One of the stronger projected plays Friday is Cal Poly +3.5 against Idaho. Current modeling gives Cal Poly approximately a 61% probability of covering the number.
Free Pick: Cal Poly +3.5
Idaho at Cal Poly
Pick: Cal Poly +3.5
Getting more than a field goal gives us some room in what projects to be a competitive game.
Best Bet: Cal Poly +3.5
College Football Value Play: William & Mary +11.5
William & Mary at Villanova
Pick: William & Mary +11.5
William & Mary is another underdog that stands out on the opening college football card. Current projections give the Tribe approximately a 58% probability of covering +11.5.
Pick: William & Mary +11.5
Soccer Free Pick
Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City
Pick: Over 2.5 Goals
Manchester City visits Crystal Palace in Friday's Premier League action, and the matchup has attracted considerable attention from the betting community.
There is some disagreement over the side, with Manchester City favored by several prediction models while other analysts see value with Palace on the handicap. The stronger consensus is around goals, however, with multiple current predictions pointing toward the Over 2.5.
ProCappers Pick: Over 2.5 Goals
Projected Score: Crystal Palace 1, Manchester City 2
ProCappers Best Bets Today
If you don't want to play every sport, these are the plays we would put at the top of Friday's card:
- Cal Poly +3.5 — College Football
- Sun +17.5 — WNBA
- Rangers +1.5 — MLB
- Rockies vs. Braves Over 8.5 — MLB
- Yankees ML — MLB
- Mystics ML — WNBA
- Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City Over 2.5 — Soccer
Free Pick of the Day
Cal Poly +3.5
Our ProCappers Free Pick of the Day for Friday, August 28 is:
FREE PICK: CAL POLY +3.5
The opening college football weekend gives us a chance to find value before the market becomes saturated with the larger Saturday slate. Cal Poly +3.5 is supported by current projections that give the Mustangs approximately a 61% probability of covering the spread.
Confidence: 8/10
Friday Betting Card
| Sport | Matchup | ProCappers Pick |
|---|---|---|
| MLB | Red Sox vs. Yankees | Yankees ML |
| MLB | Rangers vs. Brewers | Rangers +1.5 |
| MLB | Rockies vs. Braves | Over 8.5 |
| MLB | Dodgers vs. Tigers | Skubal Over 17.5 Outs |
| WNBA | Sun vs. Fever | Sun +17.5 |
| WNBA | Mystics vs. Sparks | Mystics ML |
| WNBA | Mystics vs. Sparks | Over 167.5 |
| College Football | Idaho vs. Cal Poly | Cal Poly +3.5 |
| College Football | William & Mary vs. Villanova | William & Mary +11.5 |
| Soccer | Crystal Palace vs. Man City | Over 2.5 Goals |
Final Thoughts
Friday's betting menu offers plenty of opportunities, but there's no reason to bet every game simply because it's available.
Our strongest value plays are Cal Poly +3.5, Connecticut +17.5, Rangers +1.5 and Rockies-Braves Over 8.5. For bettors looking for a moneyline option, the Yankees and Mystics are our preferred sides.
Remember that betting lines can move throughout the day. Always check the current number before placing a wager, and never risk more than you can afford to lose.
Good luck from everyone at ProCappers!