Rob Miech

Bet on it: Handicapper John Murges isn’t letting Parkinson’s keep him down

The Chicago native and veteran sports bettor supplies selections to members of his handicapping service. At some point in 2022, Murges lost his sense of smell. Afternoon fatigue became commonplace.

By Rob Miech

Screen Shot 2024-04-17 at 11.57.01 PM.png

White Sox

Bettors knew White Sox would be bad, but they’re worse than expected

Bet on it: Don’t expect Pedro Grifol’s team, which is on pace to challenge the 2003 Tigers for the most losses in a season, to be favored much this year.

By Rob Miech

Sports Saturday

Sportsbooks expecting boon from increased soccer action this summer

With the pandemic bumping Euro 2020 to 2021 and the funkiness of Qatar 2022 shifting the World Cup to December, Vegas shops will welcome the sport’s return to normalcy.

By Rob Miech

Screen Shot 2024-04-03 at 11.07.16 PM.png

College Sports

Bracket busters? UConn has been more like bracket gangbusters

Bet on it: Behind genius Hurley, UConn looks to go 6-0 against the spread in NCAA tourney for second consecutive year

By Rob Miech

Reporters watch a video screen displaying the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (right) and interpreter Will Ireton.

MLB

Japanese baseball expert wonders what Shohei Ohtani left out in statement on gambling scandal

Ohtani’s 650-word speech hardly qualified as a news conference because those usually entail back-and-forth questions and answers with media figures. Author Bob Whiting has an interesting perspective on the Japanese star.

By Rob Miech

Screen Shot 2024-03-20 at 11.53.54 PM.png

MLB

The A's have it: Storied Tropicana casino will be razed to accommodate ballpark for Athletics.<br/>

Bet on it: While Las Vegas gains an MLB team, it loses part of its storied history.

By Rob Miech

Screen Shot 2024-03-15 at 5.42.45 PM.png

Bears

Even Vegas insiders can't agree on what the Bears should do with Justin Fields

Bet on it: Pro handicapper Tom Barton, a lifelong Bears fan, says team should trade No. 1 pick to get haul, but others disagree

By Rob Miech

Blackhawks

Savvy bettors likely made right move by going under on Connor Bedard's season point total

During the preseason, the 74.5 point total had been whittled by five points, and it was further shaved by savvy bettors who today must be licking their chops.

By Rob Miech

Mike Mitchell Jr. Terrence Shannon Jr. Braeden Carrington

College Sports

Bettors seeing value in positions for Illinois to win national title

“I certainly think the Illini have a better than 2% implied chance of winning it all, since 50-1 implies a 1.96% chance,” said Tyler Wyatt, a professional bettor in Nashville, Tennessee.

By Rob Miech