Sports Betting Week: MLB Plus PGA Champ

A few short months ago the Houston Astros were dead last in the American League West and big underdogs to win the division. Anyone who wrote them off has been proven wrong, though, as a red-hot Astros squad has climbed to within 2.5 games of the Texas Rangers in those division standings.

Houston heads into a three-game set with the New York Yankees this week having won four straight and seven of their last 10 games. The Astros are also rolling at home right now, on a four-game winning streak with an 8-2 record in their last 10 outings.

The Yankees, who dealt closer Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs on Monday, have also been on a good run lately with a 6-2 record in their last eight games. New York has also been money for anyone betting the UNDER, having gone UNDER the posted total in their last 10 games.

In interleague play this week division leaders meet when the Washington Nationals visit the Cleveland Indians. Both are looking to turn things around in the series. Washington is 2-5 in their last seven games, all on the road, while Cleveland was just swept in a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles.

Also in interleague play this week cross-town rivals meet up when the Chicago Cubs take on the Chicago White Sox. The Cubs are 7-3 in their last 10 games and for totals bettors they’re 8-1 UNDER in their last nine outings. The White Sox have only three wins in their last 11 games. Last season the Cubs and Sox split their season series 3-3.

Thanks to a schedule shakeup caused by the Rio Olympics the PGA Tour has a major tournament this week, with the PGA Championship teeing off at Baltusrol.

Jason Day is the defending champion and he’s at +800 to win again at online sportsbook Bovada, which ties him with Rory McIlroy on those betting lines. U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth are both at +900, with British Open champion Henrik Stenson at +1600 at the sportsbook.

The PGA Championship was last played at Baltusrol in 2005 when Phil Mickelson finished on top. After his runner-up result in the British Open Mickelson may not be a bad choice for bettors at Bovada at +2000.