Sticks & Stacks: Recent Episodes
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Sticks & Stacks is a fast-paced 15 minute engaging, informative and highly entertaining show as they take fans through each day's betting opportunities in both baseball and hockey. Shawn and Jen will head around the diamond with picks, props, bets and fantasy advice, while Shawn and Lundy hit the ice for even more betting advice with the hockey version of S&S. Why do people LOVE betting these two sports? Come and find out for yourself each week with Sticks & Stacks! Now on SiriusXM!
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) look at a trio of American League games that suggest runs might be hard to come by. In Detroit, pitcher Joey Wentz makes his major-league debut against a light-hitting Oakland A’s squad. None of their three games this season have come close to hitting today’s over; neither Jen nor Shawn see any reason why this matchup would be any different. The red-hot Houston Astros, owners of an eight-game winning streak, cruise into Minnesota to face the Twins. Former ‘Stro Carlos Correa will miss the rematch with his old team thanks to an injured finger, but his new team carries some surprising value nevertheless. The Texas Rangers host the Kansas City Royals in baseball’s early nightcap, but with the Royals throwing a “Johnny Wholestaff” game this evening, do they even stand a chance on the road? Take a quick trip around the baseball betting and DFS world with Shawn and Jen on "Sticks & Stacks!"
Four of the Stanley Cup Playoff series will play tonight and each one is currently tied at two games apiece. With that as the backdrop, Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) give their betting picks and leans for each. The guys start with Boston and Carolina, where winning on home ice has been the script thus far. Then they head north to Toronto where the defending Stanley Cup Champion Lightning will try to steal another on the road. The Blues and Wild will battle in Minnesota where Nate expects a high-scoring game. And they wrap it all up with the Kings and Oilers in Edmonton where the heavily-favored Oilers mean the guys have to get creative to find value bets.
As baseball turns its calendar to May, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) start their day in Cleveland, where are the Guardians send former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber to the mound against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays and pitcher Kevin Gausman, who’s racked up a ridiculous 41 strikeouts this season without giving up either a home run… or even a single walk. Shawn likes both pitchers to keep dealing, while Jen thinks the surprising Guardians’ bats will stay hot. In Houston, sparkplug second baseman Jose Altuve is back, and hard-luck starter Luis Garcia looks to get things back on track against the struggling Detroit Tigers. Finally, the pair look to Arizona, where the surprising Diamondbacks host the even more surprising Colorado Rockies. C.J. Cron has become one of the league’s preeminent sluggers, but can the Rockies’ offense still hit on all cylinders away from Coors Field? They may not need to; the D-Backs are only hitting .191 on the season. Take a quick trip around the baseball betting and DFS world with Shawn and Jen on "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) check in on the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after each of the four series they discuss had interesting opening games. In New York, the Rangers lost to the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins in a triple-overtime, despite goaltender Igor Shesterkin saving nearly 80 – yes, 80 – shots. Does he have enough left in the tank to help the Rangers even the series? The Washington Capitals ambushed the top-seeded Florida Panthers in the Sunshine State during Game 1 of their series, and Shawn thinks the veteran Caps have enough talent to do it again. Nate, however, has a player prop for the Panthers. The Calgary Flames won a tightly contested, 1-0 shutout over the visiting Dallas Stars; Shawn thinks that goals will remain hard to find in Game 2, but Nate notes that each of their regular-season matchups hit the over. Our hosts wrap up in Denver, where the Colorado Avalanche welcomed the visiting Nashville Predators to a 5-0 first period en route to a 7-2 laugher. Now finally healthy, Nate and Shawn try to find opportunities in what the books think will be another one-sided affair. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with Shawn and Nate on "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at three Tuesday night matchups as the Stanley Cup playoffs begin, while explaining why they’re sitting one out to learn more in Game 1. In New York, the Rangers host an experienced Pittsburgh Penguins team, but that team’s also going into the series without goaltender Tristan Jarry due to injury. For Nate and Shawn, it’s not about whether the Blueshirts will win; merely by how much. In Florida, it’s much the same. The Panthers’ offense is the league’s best, and despite the presence of 50-goal scorer Alexander Ovechkin, it looks like an uphill climb for the Washington Capitals. Nate has a couple of player props to offset the one-sided lines for Tuesday’s tilt. They wrap up in Colorado, where the Avalanche have been on cruise control for weeks. Now finally healthy, there’s still a risk that rust has crept in. That would be a bigger problem if Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros was available, but he’s not – and may not be for the entire series. Shawn picks an unsung Avalanche skater to come up big. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with Shawn and Nate on "Sticks & Stacks!"
As Major League Baseball’s weekend series begin, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) look at a trio of intriguing matchups, starting in Chicago, where the underachieving White Sox are off to a slow start. Lucas Giolito takes the hill against the visiting Los Angeles Angels, who rank among baseball’s top five in almost every major offensive category. Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani lead the way, of course, but outfielders Taylor Ward and Brandon Marsh are off to red-hot starts. Noah Syndergaard takesthe heat to a White Sox club that’s inexplicably lost nine of its last 10 games. In St. Louis, the Cardinals host the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are off to a better start than most expected, but at 8-12, they’re still in last place in the NL West. 40-year-old Adam Wainwright starts for the Cards, and Jen’s sticking with his steady hand against a D-backs team that’s batting (gulp) .178 on the season. They finish in Oakland, where the embattled A’s find themselves at a respectable 10-9, and Frankie Montas has the pitching edge against the visiting Guardians, but with Jose Ramirez obliterating opposing pitching, and the possible return of rookie sensation Steven Kwan from a hamstring injury, the Guardians have at least a puncher’s chance. Take a quick trip around the baseball betting and DFS world with Shawn and Jen on "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) try to find value in the regular season’s final days, but with playoff teams resting stars and eliminated teams looking like they’re ready for summer vacation, our hosts have to get creative. Nate finds a parlay that gets him into plus territory, while Shawn picks out two games that still have playoff ramifications. The pair also take a look ahead at conference champion futures – and they (surprisingly) both agree on the best bet. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with Shawn and Nate on "Sticks & Stacks!"
As the NHL’s regular season enters its final week, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at a seismic matchup between the top two teams in the Metropolitan Division, as the New York Rangers (108 pts) host the Carolina Hurricanes (112). The Rangers have a game in hand, so a win tonight would make the race drum-tight. The 'Canes, however, have won four straight and look to extend their streak while taking a stranglehold on the division. The Minnesota Wild (109 pts) have an equally important game on Tuesday, but their opponent is far less concerning. The Arizona Coyotes (51 pts) are the Western Conference’s worst, but the Wild can’t take that for granted in a home game that they need to keep pace with the St. Louis Blues (109 pts). Nate and Shawn have different picks for goal-scorers in this one-sided affair. Speaking of the Blues, they’re in Colorado to take on the Avalanche (116 pts), who clinched the West’s best record over a week ago. The Blues might be playing the Avs at the right time, however – due to a combination of non-COVID illnesses, injuries, and players resting, Colorado’s lost four straight regulation games; their longest such skid since 2019. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with Shawn and Nate on "Sticks & Stacks!"
Leading into the weekend, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) look at a trio of Major League Baseball games; and in all of them, runs might be at a premium. In Detroit, the Tigers host the Colorado Rockies, who are off to one of baseball’s most surprising starts. Slugger C.J. Cron has plenty of pop, but while Kris Bryant’s batting a robust .349, he has yet to hit a homer this season. The road is usually Colorado’s Kryptonite; can pitcher Tarik Skubal keep them at bay? In Houston, Justin Verlander takes the mound, sporting a nice 0.69 ERA while striking out 15 in 13 innings in the season’s early going. The problem is that his offense, now without Jose Altuve, isn’t backing him up. Facing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays, it’s unlikely that Verlander can keep putting up zeroes, but betting against the two-time Cy Young winner is… bold. Shawn decides to try it, anyway. Finally, the pair look at an AL Central matchup between the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox. The Sox haven’t been good on the road thus far, but the Twins have been equally bad at home. The White Sox’s Michael Kopech is the better starter tonight, but this won’t be a shutout; whose bats will show up in Minny? Take a quick trip around the baseball betting and DFS world with Shawn and Jen on "Sticks & Stacks!"
Only a few playoff spots have yet to be claimed in the NHL, so hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) start off with a couple of parlays in the Eastern Conference and a futures bet on the league’s awards as the regular season’s end comes into focus. Moving out West, Nate and Shawn look at the Calgary Flames, who look to claim at least a share of the Pacific Division crown with a win over visiting Dallas. The Stars are hanging onto the conference’s final wild-card spot by their fingernails, and they need the win even more, but on the second night of a road back-to-back, do they have enough left in the tank to hold off the Flames and their legion of 30-goal scorers? Our hosts finish up in Los Angeles, where the Kings need to keep winning to hold pursuing Vegas at bay in their division; if the Kings were to finish fourth in the Pacific, they could easily miss the playoffs entirely. Fortunately, they’re visited on Thursday night by a Detroit Red Wings team that has nothing to gain with a win of their own. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with Shawn and Nate on "Sticks & Stacks!"
After a shocking NHL weekend in which every single favorite won, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) try to find value in games where the league’s underdogs appear to be more interested in setting offseason tee times than winning hockey games. They start in Montreal, where the Canadiens have long since raised the white flag on the season, but the visiting Minnesota Wild are jockeying with the St. Louis Blues for second-place in the Central Division. Nate sees an easy win for the Wild, and Shawn likes leading goal-scorer Kirill Kaprizov to keep peppering the net with shots. Over in St. Louis, the Blues have a much more difficult matchup with the visiting Boston Bruins in one of the night’s very best matchups. The Blues have won nine in a row, but Shawn thinks that all good things may come to an end in Missouri tonight, while Nate expects a high-scoring affair either way. They finish up in Vancouver, where the Canucks desperately need a win to stay in the Western Conference wild-card race. Fortunately, they host the woebegone Ottawa Senators, and though both Nate and Shawn think the boys from BC will win, they differ a bit on how close it’ll be. Our hosts finish up with recommended parlay strategies in the fact of last weekend’s wild ride. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with Shawn and Nate on "Sticks & Stacks!"
On baseball’s Jackie Robinson Day, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) break down a trio of Friday night games, starting in Baltimore, where the Orioles host the Yankees in a pitching battle of Jordans (Lyles and Montgomery). The Yankees are undoubtedly the better team, and while Shawn expects Anthony Rizzo to counting bashing the baseball, Jen finds a way to get into plus territory in what might become a one-sided affair. Next, they visit Milwaukee, where the Brewers and the visiting St. Louis Cardinals are off to middling starts. Both teams should right the ship before long, and Nolan Arenado’s hot bat leads a dangerous Cardinals offense. Staring pitcher and strikeout artist Freddy Peralta can bring the heat for the Brew Crew, but after walking four in his first start of the season, can he safely maneuver around the Cards’ big boppers? Shawn and Jen finish up in Kansas City, where the youthful Royals host the Detroit Tigers. Detroit won’t have Javier Baez thanks to a nagging thumb injury, which leads Shawn to picking the Royals behind pitcher Brad Keller. Jen sees things differently, as Keller’s inconsistency has posed a problem in the past. Take a quick trip around the baseball betting and DFS world with Shawn and Jen on "Sticks & Stacks!"
With a full slate of games in the NHL tonight, Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) have picks on the final three games of the 12 scheduled games. First Colorado will look to continue its scoring streak against the visiting Devils. In Calgary, the Golden Knights are in desperate need of a win, but facing a red hot Flames team is not going to make it easy. Then in Vancouver, the Canucks will try to keep their postseason hopes going against the Coyotes. Totals, puck lines and props to hopefully make it a profitable night on the ice.
As the NHL regular season reaches its final 10 games, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at a busy Tuesday night schedule full of one-sided matchups. In Florida, the Panthers are on a seven-game winning streak and are so heavily favored on the money and puck lines that they’re not even worth considering as winners over the visiting Anaheim Ducks. Nevertheless, Nate has a sensible way to find value, but Shawn can’t resist the lure of the 5-to-1 underdog. The Nashville Predators try to hold off the wild-card pursuing San Jose Sharks in Music City, but with the Sharks needing a win to stay in the race, can either of our hosts bring themselves to pick them? It’s a lot easier to pick Norris Trophy darling Roman Josi to have a big night instead. In Vancouver, the Canucks and the visiting Vegas Golden Knights are both trying to keep their playoff hopes alive – at the others’ expense. The Pacific Division rivals should find themselves in a playoff-type atmosphere for what should be a tightly contested game. Finally, Shawn and Nate discuss strategies for betting hockey parlays; including how to keep the legs to a minimum in order to beat the house.Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with Shawn and Nate on "Sticks & Stacks!"
Host Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) looks at the opening Friday of the 2022 baseball season with three different ways to bet on four of the most interesting Opening Day matchups! Every spring brings renewed hope to baseball fans everywhere, but few are as long-suffering as Baltimore Orioles fans. The O’s start their season in Tampa Bay, but with ace John Means on the hill, they have at least a puncher’s chance against the always-solid Rays. Two of the American League’s most improved teams meet in Minnesota, where Carlos Correa expects to turn their offense around – but it might not happen against newly-added, defending Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray and the Seattle Mariners. Fireworks are expected in Denver – and not just for the Opening Day festivities – when the Colorado Rockies host the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers’ Walker Buehler and the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland will try to keep runs at a premium, but in Coors Field, the odds are literally against it. For the final matchup, Shawn looks toward Toronto, where Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Bo Bichette and the rest of the exciting Blue Jays host a Texas Rangers team that wasn’t afraid to open the checkbooks this offseason in an effort to compete in the AL West. Take a quick trip around the baseball betting and DFS world with Shawn on "Sticks & Stacks!"
With only a dozen or so games left in the regular season, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at a couple of heated division matchups, starting in New York, where the second-place Rangers host the third-place Penguins in a Metropolitan Division battle. Nate and Shawn find themselves on opposite sides of this tightly contested game. Over in Carolina, the playoff-bound Hurricanes host the Buffalo Sabres, who… aren’t. The Hurricanes are such heavy favorites that Nate and Shawn have to get creative in order to find value in the matchup. A similar situation exists in Arizona, where the Western Conference-worst Coyotes host a Vancouver Canucks squad that’s flying high after a big win against Las Vegas. The playoff-contending Canucks are favorites, of course, but while playing on the second night of a back-to-back, could they overlook the Coyotes, who are looking to play spoiler? Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the high-scoring Edmonton Oilers in the NHL’s nightcap. The third-place Kings are chasing the second-place Oilers in the Pacific Division, but after winning five straight, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Co. may prove too hot to handle. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with Shawn and Nate on "Sticks & Stacks!"
Flying solo on a Friday, host Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) looks at four games with varying betting opportunities – and an eye on combining them into a parlay that could start the weekend off right. In Tampa Bay, the playoff-bound Lightning hosts the offseason-bound Chicago Blackhawks; the Lightning are in a tightly fought battle for positioning in the Eastern Conference and need to keep winning. The Blackhawks can start setting tee times, and when that kind of matchup occurs, blowouts often follow. Lightning blueliner Victor Hedman had a pair of goals in their last matchup; is he set to strike again? Next, rivals clash in New York when the Islanders visit the Rangers. The Rangers are the better team, but the Islanders haven’t had a bad season, and in these kind of rivalries, all bets are off – about who wins, at least. That’s why Shawn looks at the over/under instead. In the most important matchup of the night, two third-place teams collide when the St. Louis Blues travel to Edmonton to face the high-scoring Oilers. The over/under is in play again, even though the bar is set high. Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights have kept their playoff hopes alive with a timely, three-game winning streak. Trailing Dallas by a single point for the final wild-card spot in the West, it’s obvious that Vegas needs this one. It becomes even more obvious when one notes that the Stars have three games in hand – it’s desperation time for the Golden Knights. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with Shawn on "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at four games with playoff ramifications; three of which look to be more than a bit one-sided. As a result, the guys don’t want to overthink things, keeping to basic bets and minimizing the chances of random factors torpedoing an otherwise sensible wager. They start down south in Florida, where the all-in Panthers host the all-out Canadiens. Both teams made trades at the deadline, with Florida adding players and Montreal subtracting them. Nate suggests that the game between the two shouldn’t even be close, while Shawn goes for a shot prop from one of Florida’s most productive players. In a matchup between two other teams that chose opposite directions at the trade deadline, the red-hot Minnesota Wild host the Philadelphia Flyers, who raised the white flag on the season when they dealt longtime forward Claude Giroux to the Panthers. The Wild, who added future Hall-of-Fame goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, have won six games in a row, and Shawn’s willing to trust the Wild with an extra goal or two tonight to get into plus money. In the best game of the night, the Central Division-leading Colorado Avalanche head to Calgary to take on the Pacific Division-leading Flames. Nate shares an alarming stat about the Avalanche, but that doesn’t dissuade Shawn from picking the league’s top team. The pair wrap up the podcast in Anaheim, where the fading Ducks host a Dallas Stars team that – despite being out of the postseason as of today – has a clear, inside track to the Stanley Cup playoffs.Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with Shawn and Nate on "Sticks & Stacks!"
For today's episode, Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) see value with the top two teams in the Western Conference. Calgary and Colorado are both heavy favorites in their respective games tonight so grabbing the puck line provides a way to shave off some juice and create more profits. The guys also look at two different game totals, the Penguins/Rangers and Blue Jackets/Jets and see over/under value in each matchup.
Now that the NHL’s trade deadline is in the rear-view mirror, NHL fans know which teams are pushing their chips into the table, and which ones have raised the white flag on the season. Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) start with the Metropolitan Division-best Carolina Hurricanes, who were active at the deadline, adding forward Max Domi from Columbus, and he’s expected to be on the ice when the 'Canes host the Dallas Stars tonight. The Stars (73 points) currently hold the last wild-card spot in the West and are trying to put some distance between themselves and pursuers – Vegas (72 points), Winnipeg (70) and Vancouver (70). Tonight’s game looks to be a tough one, as Carolina’s reeled into the Panthers and find themselves tied for the best record in the East. While St. Louis Blues don’t have a realistic chance of catching Colorado in the Central Division, they’re battling back and forth with Minnesota for second place – and home ice advantage in the playoff’s first round. On Thursday, they host the Philadelphia Flyers, who sent Claude Giroux to the Panthers earlier this week. The Flyers are playing out the string; will Jordan Kyrou and the Blues make it a laugher? Finally, the Nashville Predators head to Vegas with an opportunity to bury the Golden Knights more deeply in the wild-card chase; while it's not a do-or-die game for the boys from Sin City… it’s close. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with Shawn and Nate on "Sticks & Stacks!"
With the NHL’s trade deadline roughly 72 hours away, host Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) looks at three games with teams that are pushing their chips into the middle of the table for a Stanley Cup run. Shawn starts in Calgary, where the Flames added Tyler Toffoli last month and Calle Jarnkrok this week already. Those rested Flames host a Buffalo Sabres team that was blown out in Edmonton the night before; a recipe for disaster so obvious that it’s difficult to find opportunities that make sense for the better. Fortunately, Shawn thinks there’s a player who will cash in tonight, and can help you do so, too. The Florida Panthers, the presumed leader in the Claude Giroux pursuit, have even more reason to get a deal done after the Lightning acquired Brandon Hagel from Chicago earlier in the day. The Panthers are in Anaheim tonight, one night after losing to the Vegas Golden Knights, who broke their five-game losing streak by beating the Eastern Conference’s best. It’s the second night of a road back-to-back for Florida, but the need for a win against the Ducks tonight is obvious; Shawn decides to buck the trend and pick the more tired team, but he thinks that their vaunted goal-scoring output is likely to be affected. The nightcap on Friday happens in San Jose, where the all-but-eliminated Sharks host a Colorado Avalanche team that’s on track for its second straight President’s Trophy after adding defender Josh Manson and forward Nico Sturm – who’s expected to make his Avalanche debut tonight. The Sharks were blanked by Los Angeles last night, while a rested Avalanche team looks to pounce. Colorado’s also in pursuit of Giroux, but it’s not likely that they’d need him tonight. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
On a loaded St. Patrick’s Day, host Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) tunes into the latest part of the schedule for three games in the wee hours. First up is the Detroit Red Wings and the Vancouver Canucks, which pits a rebuilding Detroit squad against a Canucks team that could take hold of the final wild-card spot in the West with a win tonight. The Canucks have to decide whether or not to deal J.T. Miller at Monday’s trade deadline, but Shawn thinks he’ll make the decision even more difficult by showing out this evening. Next up is a California Pacific Division battle in Los Angeles for the Kings and the visiting San Jose Sharks – who just re-signed star Tomas Hertl, taking him off many teams’ trade lists – but the Sharks still find themselves fading from playoff contention, while the Kings want to hold on to their second-place standing in the division as the race tightens. Even though the Sharks have won all three of the season’s matchups between the two teams, Shawn thinks there are reasons why the season sweep may not be in the cards. Cards are what’s in play in Las Vegas, both on the casino tables and on the ice, where the Golden Knights have lost five straight and hold on to the West’s final wild-card spot by their fingernails. Shawn doesn’t think the losing streak will stop tonight, though… not with the dominant Florida Panthers coming to town. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) go through three games with only slight favorites, looking to find value in what looks to be an assortment of tight, Friday night games. The New Jersey Devils (43 points) visit the New York Rangers (73 points), but despite the vast difference in the standings, the Rangers aren’t heavily favored. Why? It’s likely due to the fact that the Devils’ offense has caught fire, scoring a whopping 21 goals in their last four games. The Dallas Stars (63 points) travel to Winnipeg to meet the Jets (57 points), with both teams in hot pursuit of the Western Conference’s final playoff spot. It’s all but a four-point game for Winnipeg, which needs this game to continue gaining ground. Shawn thinks the goaltenders will keep the scoring low. Finally, the suddenly very wobbly Vegas Golden Knights (64 points) go into Anaheim to face the youthful Ducks (61 points), and both Nate and Shawn think that youth will be served. Take a quick trip around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
From matchups with serious stakes to ones that barely matter, the three games that hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) investigate run the gamut, and might require a little creativity to get the most out of them. They start in Tampa Bay, where the favored Lightning host the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have slowly but surely climbed their way up the Eastern Conference standings. Nate says to expect fireworks in this one, and while Shawn agrees, he suggests that the fuse might be slow to burn. The Philadelphia Flyers are playing out the string, soon to be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline. The Minnesota Wild currently hold a playoff spot out West, but they come into Philly losers of their last four games. Nate and Shawn think Kirill Kaprizov and the Wild’s luck are about to change. Finally, they turn their attention to the desert, where the league-best Colorado Avalanche (84 points) visit the league-worst Arizona Coyotes (32 points) as a comically heavy favorite. Surprisingly, though, the Coyotes have played the Avalanche tough this season – is there are opportunity for a huge surprise tonight?Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
A hockey team doesn’t have to be good on the ice to present you with good opportunities. Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at three games with potential… even if some of the teams in them don’t have much left this season. The 18-28-5 New Jersey Devils and the 18-26-8 Chicago Blackhawks both face long odds to reach the postseason, but when two bad teams come together, sometimes fireworks can break out. Nate and Shawn find themselves on opposite sides, but find a meeting in the middle, as well. In Colorado, the league-best Avalanche return star center Nathan MacKinnon to their lineup just in time to host the visiting Winnipeg Jets; finding an opportunity to bet the heavy favorite is tricky, but our hosts have a couple of ideas about how to do it. That comes in handy for the final matchup, when the Vegas Golden Knights travel to the desert to face the woebegone Arizona Coyotes, where Shawn and Nate put together a few parlays to tie things all together. Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) focus their lens on some of the league’s highest scoring teams and players, and decide that the NHL’s goaltenders are in for one heck of a night. In Toronto. Kirill Kaprizov leads the Minnesota Wild against Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs. Kaprizov (23 goals, 39 assists) and Matthews (34/28) are tied for the sixth spot in the NHL in scoring, and when the two teams last played, they combined for seven goals in an overtime win for the Wild. While the Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t a high-scoring bunch, their opponents, the Florida Panthers, certainly are. Led by Jonathan Huberdeau – only one point out of the league lead with 72 – the Panthers are the only team in the NHL averaging more than four goals per game, leading to their status as heavy favorites. Nate and Shawn figure out how to carve out a potential bargain in what appears to be a one-sided matchup. Finally, the pair look at a high-stakes Central Division matchup as the Nashville Predators host the Dallas Stars. The Preds are trying to hold onto the top wild-card spot out West, while the Stars are only a single point out of claiming the final one... but could the Stars’ overtime win last night keep them from competing in the Music City tonight?Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
It's a light slate in the NHL tonight, but Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) still have a handful of picks for you on today's edition of the podcast. Nashville and Carolina get things started as the Predators have not looked good since coming out of the All Star Break. Then the late night matchup between the LA Kings and Vegas Golden Knights should see plenty of scoring and that gives a couple of opportunities to place your bets. With the NBA on its All Star Break, let's see if we can light the lamp and put some cash in our pockets on "Sticks and Stacks".
On a Wednesday night that’s light on games but heavy on star-power, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) first check out a Central Division matchup between the Minnesota Wild and the Winnipeg Jets, where Nate thinks the Wild’s overall talent and recent hot play is too much to ignore, but Shawn thinks that Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck is ready to stand on his head at home. Next up is a pair of nationally-televised games featuring four of the league’s best teams, starting with Florida’s visit to Carolina, where Nate and Shawn disagree on the outcome of the Panthers and Hurricanes – while both admitting that it could go either way. The same can be said in Vegas, where the Golden Knights host the team they bounced from the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, the league-leading Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche’s firepower – especially now that Nathan MacKinnon’s back in the fold – might be too much for Knights backup goalie Laurent Brossoit, even on the second night of a back-to-back… but Vegas seems to have Colorado’s number in a town where the odds rule everything. Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Reporting from "Radio Row" at the Super Bowl in Los Angeles, guest host Nate Lundy (@natelundy) joins host Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) to discuss a pair of games featuring contenders from each conference. The Toronto Maple Leafs take one of the league’s best road records into Calgary to face the Flames, who have a four-game winning streak at home, fresh off of thumping the Vegas Golden Knights the night before. Will the second night of a back-to-back (and a lot of Toronto’s Auston Matthews) derail Johnny Gaudreau and the Flames, or will they continue their rapid climb in the Pacific Division standings? Over in Colorado, the Avalanche haven’t lost a home game in regulation in more than three months (really!), but they did fall in a shootout loss to Arizona just prior to the All-Star break. Superstar Center Nathan MacKinnon isn’t yet back for the Avs, but they still have more than enough firepower to topple most teams. Of course, most teams don’t have the best goaltender on the planet in net – but the Tampa Bay Lightning do. Andrei Vasilevskiy’s been wobbly of late, however – can the Lightning do enough to keep pace with Florida in the Atlantic Division, or will Colorado extend its league-largest lead in the Central? Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, with betting tips for all of the skills competitions – picking only one favorite – and an apt comparison to a roulette wheel. The two look at a prop bet about when Sidney Crosby will reach the 500-goal mark, and why the Colorado Avalanche are still a value, even as the favorites to win the Stanley Cup! Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
It's hockey picks to start off your week as host Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) is joined by Nate Lundy (@natelundy) to discuss tonight's relatively light slate of games. With very heavy favorites in three of the five games on the schedule, Shawn and Nate focus on two contests that should be more competitive. But, the expected tight battles means the guys are focused on the totals in each game. First up, the Red Wings will try to cool off the Ducks who have won 4 of their last 5 games. Then the Blackhawks will host Vancouver in what should be a goaltending battle in Chicago. Plus, Shawn and Nate also give a couple of player props to consider and a simple way to bet those three heavy favorites.
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) are in a slump – it’s just that simple. Of course, in the betting world, these things happen, so Nate and Shawn look to three games on Friday that might get them back in the saddle again. In the "Big Apple," the 28-12-4 New York Rangers are rare home underdogs on the money line, and our hosts look to pounce with player props on scorers like Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, wile the visiting Minnesota Wild’s Karl Kaprizov looks to stay hot on the road trip. The Colorado Avalanche travels to Chicago for a road rematch of their 2-0 home win over the Blackhawks earlier this week, but the Avs won’t have Hart candidate Nathan MacKinnon, who suffered a broken nose against Boston on Wednesday. The Avalanche still have plenty of firepower, but Shawn and Nate scrutinize an interesting over/under in Chi-town. Finally, the aforementioned Bruins head to the Arizona desert to face a Coyotes team that’s already playing out the string in January. Brad Marchand and his Bruins are favored, of course, but the pesky Coyotes still pack a puncher’s chance with point-getters like Clayton Keller and Phil Kessel. Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at a Wednesday slate that’s light on games but heavy on action, including back-to-back, nationally broadcast matchups. First, the Capitols host the visiting San Jose Sharks in Washington for what’s expected to be a close game between two teams with similar records. At home, the Caps are hot – should you pay the juice, or look for value in player props for elites like Alex Ovechkin? Next, Nate and Shawn look at the first half of a TNT doubleheader; a gritty Original Six rivalry game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings in Motown. This could be a low-scoring affair, but players like Alex DeBrincat and Tyler Bertuzzi could still make their marks on the scoresheet. Finally, they head to Colorado for the TNT nightcap, where the Avalanche look to extend their extraordinary home winning streak to 18 games. The visiting Boston Bruins and David Pastrnak may have something to say about that, however, while Nate finds a couple of special bets for "Pasta" and high-scoring Avs winger Mikko Rantanen.Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
The expansion Seattle Kraken have won two straight and look to make it three in a row against the visiting St. Louis Blues. Host Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) looks at that game, and two others, on a hockey-filled Friday. Even though the Kraken are streaking (when you’re an expansion team, two wins in a row constitutes a streak!), goaltender Philip Grubauer may not be in net on the second night of a back-to-back, and that would make things even better for the already-favorited Blues. Shawn maneuvers around that to discover ways to get into plus money without having to count on the Kraken to stay hot. The Florida Panthers walloped Edmonton 6-0 on Thursday, backstopped by goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky’s 40-save shutout. Even on the second night of a back-to-back, Shawn’s happy to pick the Panthers against a mediocre Vancouver Canucks team that’s struggled to find its footing this season, but he’d like to find a way to avoid the juice. Finally, two teams going in opposite directions can make it difficult to find value, but looking at Tampa Bay’s visit to Anaheim, there’s still a way to go with the league-best Lightning (and their four-game winning streak) despite being heavy favorites against the slumping Ducks, looking not-so-mighty on a four-game skid. Take a quick trip with Shawn around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Flying solo on this podcast, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) breaks down a quartet of NHL games, starting with Winnipeg and Nashville. The Jets have been managing a challenging schedule due to a number of postponements that have resulted in uneven play, and they’ll get no sympathy from the Predators, who are 0-3-1 in their last four and hungry for a home win. Goal scorers abound in Florida’s game against Edmonton, where the Panthers’ Jonathan Huberdeau faces off against the Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, who’s been playing without lineman Connor McDavid due to to COVID-19 protocols. Despite their standing as the second-place team in the entire NHL, the Panthers have been wobbly on the road (5-5-5). The Oilers, however, would love to have the oddly symmetrical record – they’ve only won two of their last 13 games and could be sinking fast, despite their talent. Even the second night of a back-to-back may not slow down the red-hot Colorado Avalanche, who haven’t lost in regulation since the league ended its holiday hiatus; the Avs are 9-0-1 in that span and coming off a shutout of the Anaheim Ducks last night. The L.A. Kings are solid enough at home (13-9-2), but they’ve lost their last two games and allowed a half-dozen goals in each – not a good formula with Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen and breakout 31-year-old Nazem Kadri coming to town. Various shades of teal meet up in Seattle, where the expansion Kraken find themselves a near pick’em game with the visiting San Jose Sharks. The Kraken are 1-8-1 in their last 10 games… but that one was a shutout on Monday. Can the Kraken surprise again? Take a quick trip with Shawn around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) drop the puck on 2022 with a look at the defending Cup champs, as the Tampa Bay Lightning take a three-game skid into Columbus, where the Blue Jackets have one of the league’s best road records. With both their goaltenders previously out due to health and safety protocols, can the Lightning get enough in net to end the streak? Over in Chicago, division rivals clash as the Blackhawks host the Colorado Avalanche, now finally healthy after their 16-day layoff. The Avs’ offense is fearsome, but their goaltending has been equally suspect; can Patrick Kane and Co. take advantage? Finally, we visit Anaheim, where the Philadelphia Flyers venture west to take on the Ducks. Philly’s a .500 team with a lot of variability, and the Ducks’ record is inflated by their strong showings at home; Nate explains a few different ways to find value in difficult-to-predict games like this one. Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
It's a light slate in the NHL tonight so on today's episode, Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look for ways to maximize the profit opportunities. The Capitals will be in Chicago to face the Blackhawks, the Rangers are on a back-to-back as they battle the Coyotes and the Kraken, fresh off an upset win last night against the Sharks, will take on the Ducks. From player props to totals and parlays, the guys give you several ways to bet tonight's action on the ice.
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at three games on a sparse Friday slate in the NHL, and the duo talk about multiple ways to win when betting favorites. Nate explains the "three-way" or "60 minute" line during breakdowns of the Devils-Jets, Golden Knights-Coyotes and Oilers-Kraken games; the latter two with heavy favorites for good reasons. While first looking at schedules to see which teams are in the second night of a back-to-back, they find that the Devils may be in for a tougher matchup in Winnipeg than their respective records might indicate. While Vegas has underachieved in the season’s early going, they’re more than a match for poor Arizona – but recent play by both teams may indicate a tougher contest to predict. Finally, though both of them prefer powerhouse Edmonton and twin superstars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, Shawn’s swinging big at a parlay that counts on the high-scoring pair to stay hot in Seattle.Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
With temperatures in the 60s in Colorado, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) are glad to know that the Avalanche are in Toronto tonight where it might actually feel more like winter. The Avs will have Nathan MacKinnon return to the lineup, but Nate says that doesn't necessarily mean more scoring between these two NHL heavyweights. In fact, on today's show the over/under totals are all Nate is focused on as he and Shawn discuss that game along with the Kraken and Red Wings and Golden Knights and Ducks. Please be sure to subscribe, rate and review the latest "Sticks & Stacks" and good luck tonight!
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at a Tuesday slate in which only one team playing has a losing record, making for what should be an entertaining night of hockey. Starting out East, the Philadelphia Flyers head to Tampa Bay to take on the champs, and while the Flyers’ 19 points on the season is tied for second-to-last place in the Metropolitan division, in the Lightning’s Atlantic, they’d be in fourth – directly behind Tampa. With Brayden Point (upper-body injury) out, the Lightning’s offensive punch takes a hit; will it be enough for the Flyers to pull off an upset on the road? Over in Dallas, the Stars see the ice tilting away from them as the potent Edmonton Oilers skate into town behind Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid – the NHL’s top two scorers – so our hosts conjure up a couple different strategies to make the most of it. Finally, in Calgary, "Johnny Hockey" Gaudreau is back; now fifth in the NHL in scoring, he leads the Western Conference-leading Flames as they prepare for a visit from the disappointing Chicago Blackhawks. At 6-10-2, the Blackhawks are one of the West’s worst, and Calgary’s so heavily favored that Nate comes up with a novel way to pick the Flames without having to pay the juice tax. Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at four games on Tuesday’s NHL slate with the understanding that, anecdotally at least, teams tend to play best on the road in the final game of a trip. The New York Islanders end their whopping, 13-game voyage in Florida, as the suddenly sliding Panthers have lost four straight. Due to the work on their arena, the Isles haven’t played a home game yet, making what appears to be a middling, 5-5-2 record better than it looks. In New York, the Rangers host a underwhelming Montreal Canadiens team that plays as poorly on the road as the Rangers play well on their home ice. The resurgent Red Wings travel to Dallas to take on a Stars club that’s favorited despite their inferior record; Nate and Shawn discuss what that means before wrapping top with Las Vegas, where the Golden Knights host the Carolina Hurricanes in the best game of the evening. Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
On a night with only a five-game NHL slate, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) discuss how to approach schedules like this, especially when heavy favorites abound. They share a few of their strategies while going over three of them, starting with a relatively even matchup between Washington and Columbus. The Caps are favorites, but they’re on the second night of a back-to-back, and the Blue Jackets are are solid 5-1-0 at home; a solid opportunity to bet the home 'dog. In Carolina, the 10-1-0 Carolina Hurricanes host the Philadelphia Flyers, and Nate suggests a clever way to leverage the 'Canes' favorite status and turn it into plus-money. Finally, two of hockey’s worst face off as the Arizona Coyotes travel to Chicago to face the embattled Blackhawks, but even in a matchup of poor teams, there are still ways to turn a bad game into a good night – for you, at least. Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Now that most NHL teams have played roughly ten games, a clearer picture is forming – and that means that handicapping hockey games gets easier. Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Nate Lundy (@natelundy) look at five games on Tuesday’s slate, starting with the L.A. Kings’ visit to Montreal, where the Canadiens don’t look anything like last season’s Cup finalists… at least, not yet. Next, we fly south to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Hurricanes in a battle of deep, talented Cup contenders. The Penguins aren’t healthy, but they look to be more of a match for the struggling Blackhawks, even though Shawn’s feeling inclined to trust goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to get right sooner rather than later. In Winnipeg, the Jets host the Blues in a matchup of Central division contenders, and the pair wind up in Las Vegas, where the Golden Knights host their expansion cousins from Seattle, where Nate’s got faith in the Kraken already. Take a quick trip with Shawn and Nate around the hockey betting and DFS world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
The Atlanta Braves are on the cusp of their first World Series title since 1995, leading the Houston Astros, three games to two, heading into Tuesday’s Game 6. Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) preview Game 6 and a potential Game 7, starting with Houston’s opportunity to keep the series going at home. Luis Garcia will be on the bump for the Astros on short rest, and you can count on the bullpen to play a outsized role in Tuesday’s contest. Jen likes some player props for Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker and Carlos Correa against Atlanta’s Max Fried, whom the Astros knocked around earlier in the Series, while Shawn likes the Braves’ run line in what he thinks will be either a close game… or an Atlanta championship. Take a quick trip with Shawn and Jen around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
The Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves split the first two games of the World Series, each winning in blowout fashion. Now, the series moves to the Peach State, where Jose Altuve and the rest of his Astros’ teammates look to win their second straight in Friday’s Game 3. Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) preview Friday’s game, and while both of them like the Braves’s Ian Anderson to win his pitching duel with the Astros’ Luis Garcia, their views on the series aren’t necessarily in sync. The Astros are swinging and missing at an unusually high rate, and though Jen has concerns with Alex Bregman’s play, both Shawn and Jen think that Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker and Carlos Correa can’t be held down for long. Atlanta’s MVP candidate Austin Riley is having struggles of his own, but the Braves’ offense is better positioned to thrive in its National League ballpark, whereas the Astros will have to sit one of their best hitters and alter their defense without the designated hitter. Take a quick trip with Shawn and Jen around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
The World Series is upon us, with the surprising, resilient Atlanta Braves headed to Houston to take on an Astros team bent on proving that their previous title wasn’t a fluke. Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) preview Game 1, and the pair have very different ideas regarding what might happen in the series opener. They also take time to break down the rest of the series, including hitting props for Astros sluggers Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve and Kyle Tucker. The Braves boast a trio of their own 30-homer guys in Austin Riley, Freddie Freeman and Ozzie Albies, and the pair of hosts predict what the two slugging clubs will do with over/unders expected to be higher than usual. Take a quick trip with Shawn and Jen around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
As the American and National League Championship Series draw to a close; hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) start with a look at the NLCS, where the Dodgers are in the exact same position they were last year against the Braves – down 3-1 after Game 4. Last year, the Dodgers completed the comeback on their way to their World Series championship, but the loss of Justin Turner to injury will make things harder this time around. Were the Braves to win this series, it would become the third biggest upset in postseason history in terms of the 18-game regular-season gap in wins between the two teams. Only the 2001 Yankees (21 wins behind the Mariners in the ALCS) and the 1906 World Series-winning White Sox (23 wins behind the Cubs) would be larger. Over in the ALCS, Jen’s Astros have righted the ship, blowing the Red Sox out in the last two games with a combined score of 18-3. Now back at home for Games 6 and 7 (if necessary), the Astros are in ideal position to claim the AL pennant once again. Of course, counting the Red Sox out for the count this season hasn’t proven to be a winning bet yet. Shawn and Jen look at each game and give you their favorite picks in a quick trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
The first few games of the American and National League Championship Series have already surprised; hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) take a look at what that means – and what may come next. In the NLCS, the Atlanta Braves held serve at home, winning the first two games over the heavily favored Los Angeles Dodgers with walk-off wins; can Austin Riley and Co. keep it going in 'La-La Land' with Dodgers star Walker Buehler on the bump? Over in Boston, the home Red Sox have trounced the visiting – and favored – Houston Astros, as the wild-card winners thumped the ’Stros with a shocking display of power in Games 2 and 3. In Game 4, Boston could take a stranglehold of the series if Nick Pivetta and the Sox bullpen can hold down a suddenly wobbly Astros club. Shawn and Jen look at each game and give you their favorite picks in a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Given the drum-tight, back-and-forth battle all season long between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants, their decisive Game 5 postseason matchup is the most anticipated game of the season. Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) debate the "pick 'em" game and discuss how the the all-hands-on-deck nature of the game adds a lot of volatility, despite its obvious entertainment value. The pair settle on the one bet that they both agree on, and then turn their sights toward Houston, where the Boston Red Sox did the Astros a favor by knocking off the Tampa Bay Rays. As the top remaining seed and the home team in the American League Championship Series, Jen and Shawn believe that Astros are the better team, but an injury to starting pitcher Lance McCullers and Boston’s penchant for drama make this a potential seven-game thriller. Join Shawn and Jen in a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
The Boston Red Sox dispatched the Tampa Bay Rays – the AL’s top postseason seed – over the weekend, and the remaining three Division series have nothing but elimination games left on tap! Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) take a quick peek at the Houston Astros, who sit in the driver’s seat of their series with the Chicago White Sox; even if the White Sox win theGame 4 matinee, they’ll have to return to Houston’s Minute Maid Park for Game 5, where the Astros’ home field advantage seems to have a few of the Pale Hose rattled. The Atlanta Braves seek to close out the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday; the Braves shut the Brew Crew out in both Game 2 and 3 – but Jen and Shawn are counting on a good Milwaukee team to fight back and force a Game 5 (and give bettors the opportunity at some plus money in the process). In Los Angeles, the Dodgers host the Giants for their Game 4, one night after a 1-0 thriller that put the Giants up 2-1 in the series. San Francisco has shut the mighty Dodgers offense out twice; could they continue their miracle season and finish off the league’s highest-paid team on their own field? Join Shawn and Jen on their quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
After two thrilling wild-card games, Major League Baseball’s Division Series are next to the plate, and hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) preview each of them in turn. The up-and-coming Chicago White Sox travel to Houston to face the playoff-tested Astros, who look like easy favorites – but then again, most of baseball said that about the New York Yankees earlier in the week. Shawn and Jen both correctly picked the underdog Boston Red Sox to survive and advance in that Wild Card game. Now, they’re underdogs again against the AL’s top team – but can the Tampa Bays Rays' creative and cost-effective approach hold off the big-budget boys from Boston? Over in the NL, the matchup between the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers pairs two teams that are built to succeed at home in a series that could easily go all the way to a decisive, fifth game… but it still seems like an appetizer. The main course, of course, is the jaw-dropping battle between baseball’s two best teams, as the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the surprising San Francisco Giants. The Giants have been so good, and so consistent, that they surrendered only two games of their lead in the season’s final two months to the defending champion Dodgers, who went 43-13 over that span. The season series was 10-9 in favor of 'Frisco, but can the Bayside baseball team hold off the most expensive roster in baseball history – and one with the depth to match? Join Shawn and Jen in this special 20-minute, supersized trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Four of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises battle it out in one-game elimination games! Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) start with the AL Wild Card matchup between legendary rivals New York and Boston, as the Yankees and starting pitcher Gerrit Cole travel to Fenway to meet the Red Sox and face starter Nathan Eovaldi. Both Cole and Eovaldi are the AL’s top five in pitching WAR (wins over replacement), and while the Yankees have more raw power behind Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the Red Sox hit for a higher average – Xander Bogaerts’ .295 average is the best left in the league. Both teams are missing important starters – Boston is without slugger J.D. Martinez, and New York won’t have all-everything infielder D.J. LeMahieu, and both will be missed in this high-stakes matchup. Over in the NL, Jen likes the battle-tested Los Angeles Dodgers to take care of business at home behind Cy Young candidate Max Scherzer as the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals visit Chavez Ravine, but Shawn thinks the pressure could get to the Dodgers, and Scherzer’s been wobbly of late; surrendering 17 hits and 10 earned runs over his last 10 1/3 innings pitched. Join Shawn and Jen in this special 20-minute, supersized trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Major League Baseball’s final weekend is here, and while the last few teams jockey for positions in the postseason, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) look at three of the most important games of the evening. In Baltimore, the visiting Boston Red Sox find themselves in position to take a commanding AL wild-card lead as Nick Pivetta leads a hungry Sox team against a reeling Orioles squad that was nevertheless game enough to fend them off earlier in the week behind DFS mainstays Cedric Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle. In Houston, the Astros can lock up the West against a Tampa Bay Rays team that may be more concerned with getting their postseason rotation in order than beating the ’Stros, but starter Lance McCullers and Houston can’t take any chances with the pesky Seattle Mariners refusing to go away. Finally, the duo looks at a playoff-type atmosphere in Toronto, where the Blue Jays want to continue their recent dominance over the visiting New York Yankees with what’s likely the final AL wild-card spot on the line. Expect Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. and Bo Bichette to bring the lumber in what could turn into a slugfest. Join Shawn and Jen, and take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
As Major League Baseball enters the final, decisive week fo its regular season, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) look at three games with major postseason implications, starting in Baltimore. Over the weekend, the Boston Red Sox were swept by the rival New York Yankees, turning what looked like a foregone conclusion for Boston into anything but. Fortunately, they visit the 106-loss Orioles, who have been playing out the string since late May. With ace Chris Sale on the mound, tonight’s matchup looks easy for the loaded Red Sox… maybe too easy. Over in St. Louis, the Cardinals are on a mind-bending 16-game winning streak, but the division rival Milwaukee Brewers come to visit, having already locked up the NL Central. Can Nolan Arenado and Co. keep it going, or will Brandon Woodruff be the man that finally stops the Cards’ streak? Last, but not least, the Houston Astros host the Tampa Bay Rays in the game of the night. Tampa’s clinched the East and is locked into the AL’s top spot, but Jen’s Astros still need to take care of business in order to win the West. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) take a peek at three matchups that feature what appear to be one-sided, and find value in Baltimore, where the long-irrelevant Orioles host the equally irrelevant Texas Rangers in a game that’s bad for television, but good for bargain DFS shoppers. Hitters like the Rangers’ Adolis Garcia and the Orioles’ Cedric Mullins could be in for big nights in a game where both Shawn and Jen love the under. Over in Minnesota, the disappointing Twins take on a suddenly desperate Toronto Blue Jays squad that’s dropped spots in the AL wild-card race this week. They need a win badly, and pitcher Steven Matz gives them a good chance to do so – along with young superstars Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. and Bo Bichette, of course. Jen and Shawn wrap things up with the fading Angels (MVP do-it-all favorite Shohei Ohtani notwithstanding, obviously), who host the Houston Astros, who could wrap up the AL West over the weekend. Lance McCullers takes the hill for Houston, and as the Rangers are understandable favorites, Jen cobbles together a way to turn a ’Stros win into plus money. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) start today’s show with a look at the Bronx, where the New York Yankees – in the thick of a wild-card race – host the already-eliminated Texas Rangers in what seems to be a one-sided matchup. Jen and Shawn look at the over/under, given that neither team sports a high batting average, and they discuss the importance of "line shopping" to find value in lopsided games. In what looms as the best game of the night, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his entertaining Toronto Blue Jays draw a tough matchup against the dominant Tampa Bay Rays – but the Rays have been cool of late, and the Jays have been rolling, so Shawn and Jen are willing to give the underdogs a little love. They wrap up in Anaheim, where the injury-plagued Los Angeles Angels are all but playing out the string, while the visiting Houston Astros have their sights set on much, much more. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) take a look at a trio of games involving the American League’s top contenders, staring in Arlington, where the AL West-leading Houston Astros visit a moribund Rangers squad. Nevertheless, Jen sees a low-scoring game with DFS and player-prop opportunities for Astros hitters Yuli Gurriel and Kyle Tucker. Heading southeast, the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays play host to the Detroit Tigers; a middling team that’s playing better baseball than you’d think. With the Rays starting "Johnny Wholestaff" with a series of relievers, the Tigers have an opportunity to roar as a heavy underdog. Beautiful Camden Yards in Baltimore sets the scene for their last matchup, one between the visiting New York Yankees – currently in a three-way tie for second in the AL East with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox – looking to separate themselves from the pack against baseball’s worst. Shawn thinks the Orioles are doomed to take loss No. 100 loss on the season, but with the Yanks as heavy favorites, he and Jen cobble together a way to find plus money while still counting on New York’s Aaron Judge to rule. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) start in Pittsburgh, where the visiting Cincinnati Reds look to cure what’s been ailing them against the Pirates. Wade Miley (12-5, 2.89 ERA) takes the hill for the Reds, who sport a talented lineup with Joey Votto, Nicholas Castellanos and Jonathan India, while the Pirates have, well, Bryan Reynolds – who leads the Buccos in batting average, home runs and RBI. In Arlington, the Texas Rangers host their cross-state rivals when the powerhouse Houston Astros come to town. Few pitchers serve up dingers at the rate of the Rangers’ Jordan Lyles, which portends good fortune for Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Carlos Correa. The pair finish up their tour in Minnesota, where the disappointing Twins host the Cleveland Indians. The Twins have rookie hurler Charlie Barnes (0-3, 6.59 ERA) on the bump, and while Cleveland’s Logan Allen (1-6, 6.86) hasn’t been any better, Jose Ramirez, Amed Rosario and the rest of the Indians’ lineup has more punch than Minnesota’s, where one-man army Jorge Polanco leads the charge. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) take a look at three games in Major League Baseball that won’t require complicated maneuvering in order to win, starting in Chicago, where the Cubs host wild-card challenger Cincinnati. The Reds have been cold while the Cubs have been hot, but that doesn’t stop Jen and Shawn from making their pick, along with suggesting Joey Votto and Nick Castellanos for DFS lineups and player props. Moving on to Baltimore, there’s an opportunity for savvy players as the Orioles and the visiting Kansas City Royals have long been an afterthought in 2021. While Shawn and Jen don’t agree on a winner, they do agree that players like Baltimore’s Austin Hays and – inexplicably – Kansas City’s Salvador Perez (who’s second in the majors with 41 home runs) are being undervalued thanks to their also-ran status. The pair finish up in Atlanta, where the Braves find themselves in a solid matchup against the visiting Washington Nationals, despite the fact that young star Juan Soto can’t miss, earning 17 walks and struck out only three times in the last two weeks. Breakout third baseman Austin Riley and second baseman Ozzie Albies lead the charge for Atlanta, and starting pitcher Touki Toussaint stands ready to take advantage. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) look at three games with over/unders of nine or more runs, starting with the Baltimore Orioles’ visit to the Bronx. With a loaded Yankees lineup, Jen finds a way to turn the heavily favored Yanks into a plus with a creative parlay, while Shawn picks a few O’s that might fit DFS lineups, even in a tough matchup. Tampa Bay is next, where the Series-contending Rays host the disappointing Twins, and while Jen crafts an early-inning parlay, Shawn’s willing to fade Jorge Polanco and Co. outright. Finishing up in homer-happy Coors Field, the pair both like the underdog Colorado Rockies to beat the Atlanta Braves, but Jen’s over/under angle is what’s interesting. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) stay in the American League, avoiding the low-hanging fruit of the day and looking for action that could pay off big. They start their tour in Toronto, where Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, and the slugging Blue Jays host the Baltimore Orioles… where Jen picks the O’s in the upset! She explains the numbers behind her decision, and why Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins are all set up for success. Moving on to Detroit, the Tigers are swinging and missing with regularity, and Oakland’s James Kaprelian is ready to take advantage. It’s the Tigers, however, that Jen picks, and she assembles a creative parlay to take further advantage of the fade. They wrap up in Kansas City, where the Royals are inexplicably favored against the visiting Cleveland Indians, making this an easy decision despite KC catcher Salvador Perez’s must-play DFS status. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!
After picking all three of yesterday’s games correctly with big-time DFS hits to boot, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) keep things rolling into the weekend by starting in Texas, where the Rangers host their in-state rivals, the World Series-contending Houston Astros. With the Rangers’ Glenn Otto making his major-league debut after arriving from the New York Yankees as part of the Joey Gallo trade, the highly touted pitching prospect will have his hands full with a loaded Astros lineup – but Shawn has a fade centered around the rookie. Heading to Chicago next for another heated rivalry between the White Sox and the visiting Cubs, Jen thinks that White Sox pitcher Dallas Keuchel, a notorious pitch-to-contact hurler, might have the strikeout ball going against a depleted Cubs roster that’s been swinging and missing with alarming regularity. They both love red-hot shortstop Tim Anderson to keep his bat warm for DFS purposes. Lastly, the pair look at the loaded Tampa Bay Rays, as Brandon Lowe, Austin Meadows and an underrated lineup take on wobbly Baltimore starter Matt Harvey in hot and muggy Maryland on Friday night. The O’s have won two straight after breaking their lengthy losing streak – but DFS stalwart Cedric Mullins and sleeper third baseman Ryan Mountcastle give the Orioles a puncher’s chance to make it three. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) start the show on the West Coast with a battle with between postseason contenders as the slugging Yankees visit the A’s. Jen likes all of the Yanks’ power bats (Aaron Judge, Joey Gallo, Anthony Rizzo and Gary Sanchez) to carry the day, while Shawn likes strikeout props for both New York starter Jameson Taillon and Oakland’s James Kaprelian. Up the coast in Seattle, Jen likes a pesky Royals team to surprise Seattle and talented-but-inconsistent starter Yusei Kikuchi. The Royals’ contact rate is high, and Whit Merrifield leads the charge for Kansas City, while both Shawn and Jen deem big-swinging backstop Salvador Perez a must-play against the Mariners. The pair wrap up the show with two big markets moving in different directions, as they like the visiting San Francisco Giants to continue their surprising, sterling season in New York against the fading Mets. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) start today’s look at baseball betting and DFS opportunities in Cincinnati, where hurler Luis Castillo is set up for a solid outing against the Marlins. Castillo’s tremendous strikeout stuff should play well against one of the league’s worst swing-and-miss offenses, and Jen and Shawn take a moment to admire Joey Votto’s resurgent campaign. Next, the pair venture to the Bronx, where the red-hot Yankees host the underachieving Twins. Though Yankees fans and media have suggested that their 2021 season has somehow been an embarrassment, our hosting duo suggests that nobody feels too sorry for the 69-52 Yankees, who are now only 1.5 games from having the second-best record in the American League. Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo and Gary Sanchez are highly recommended plays this evening, but Shawn reminds listeners not to forget about Jorge Polanco, Minnesota’s do-it-all shortstop. Finally, they end their tour in St. Louis, where the visiting Brewers look to topple the Cardinals and extend their NL Central division lead to double-digits. With Brandon Woodruff on the mound, the "Brew Crew" looks to get it done at Busch Stadium on Thursday. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) take a look at four games that appear to be mismatches, with overwhelming favorites and obvious underdogs that nevertheless provide sneaky-good betting and DFS opportunities. They start their tour in Washington, where the visiting Blue Jays and their vaunted offense come to town. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, Teoscar Hernandez, George Springer and Randal Grichuk look to tee off on wobbly Nationals starter Erick Fedde. In Tampa Bay, Randy Arozarena, Austin Meadows and the Rays expect to dominate the visiting Orioles, but don’t overlook John Means. The O’s no-no-throwing starter has a better matchup than you probably think – but Jen has one DFS player whose history with Means is simply remarkable. The Rangers host the Mariners in Arlington, and while the M’s may not look like world-beaters, they’ll be facing "Johnny Wholestaff" on the mound; a collection of reliever and spot starters cobbled together to get through one game. Seattle’s Kyle Seager and red-hot Ty France should be drooling. Finally, the pair peek into the Cubs-Reds matchup in Cincy, where Jen introduces you to one Vladimir Gutierrez. The Reds’ hurler has a great matchup against what amounts to a Triple-A Chicago lineup – oh, and he has Joey Votto, Nicholas Castellanos and rookie sensation Jonathan India at his back. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) highlight the "Field of Dreams" game in Dyersville, Iowa, where the Yankees and White Sox will square off in a new stadium built next to the legendary corn-field diamond of movie fame. Chicago’s Lance Lynn should look good in his old-time uniform against a strikeout-prone New York lineup, but the White Sox’s Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson and Andrew Vaughn all look to tee off against Andrew Heaney, who gives up a longball every five innings on average! In Arizona, Yu Darvish has a terrific matchup against the abysmal Diamondbacks; expect strikeouts galore for the Padres hurler, and look at Will Myers for a sneaky DFS play. The road-kill Rockies travel to the Bay Area to face baseball’s best team in the Giants, and while San Francisco is expected to win handily, don’t sleep on an opportunity to fade them with underrated All-Star Colorado pitcher German Marquez. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the DFS and baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) begin today’s tour in "Hotlanta", where the ahem red-hot Reds and Braves will be pitted in an evenly matched contest. Jen won’t pick a winner, but she has an idea on the over/under – and Reds like Joey Votto and Nick Castellanos – while Shawn likes Jesse Winker to succeed against Atlanta’s Drew Smyly. Over in Baltimore, temps are expected to be in the mid-90s at first pitch against the Tigers, so the pair expect to see the ball flying out of Camden Yards thanks to winless Orioles pitcher Keegan Akin and his 7.66 ERA. Detroit’s Jonathan Schoop leads the way, but don’t forget about future Hall-of-Famer Miguel Cabrera, and despite the bad matchup for their pitcher, O’s DFS superstar Cedric Mullins is set up for success, and Jen has a sneaky selection for GPP play. The pair finish the program with a look at the Red Sox, who host the Rays in a big-time matchup on a cool August night in Boston. Jen has strikeout props for Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez and Rays hurler Luis Patino, while Shawn likes the visiting Rays outright and pairs it with an over/under to get into plus territory. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) have a trio of home-run friendly matchup for DFS players and wagerers alike! Our intrepid pair read the tea leaves earlier this week, and they go back to the well in Toronto, where Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien and the undervalued Randal Grichuk take aim at rookie Cleveland hurler Triston McKenzie and the 14 long balls he’s given up in only 63.1 innings – an average of one every 4 2/3 innings! Over in the Bronx, things look good for Aaron Judge and a stacked Yankees lineup against visiting Seattle, and Jen has a stat about newly-acquired Anthony Rizzo that you’ll have to hear to believe. They finish their tour in Houston, where Jen’s Astros take on the Twins and converted rookie reliever Griffin Jax – looks like it’s bombs away for Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker, Jordan Alvarez and Carlos Correa. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) look at three matchups around baseball that loom as terrific opportunities for some of the major league’s very best talents. Shohei Ohtani takes the hill for the Angels as they visit the reeling Rangers, who dealt slugger Joey Gallo to the Yankees last week. The Angels’ MVP candidate faces a pedestrian lineup the mound, and at the plate, an underwhelming Kolby Allard isn’t likely to deter "Sho-time’s" electric bat. Up in Toronto, another MVP candidate lurks in the person of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whose Blue Jays host a Cleveland team that’s playing out the string. Though Jose Ramirez might give Toronto starter Steven Matz fits, it’s Guerrero and teammates Bo Bichette, Teoscar Hernandez and Randal Grichuk that are set up for success against J.C. Mejia and his 7.60 ERA. The pair round things out in St. Louis, where new acquisition J.A. Happ might be in for a rude welcome to the National League. Freddie Freeman, Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies bring big bats, backed up by southpaw pitcher Drew Smyly, who will face one of the National League’s worst left-handed hitting teams. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) swung and missed at the matchup between the visiting Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals earlier this week, but they’re back in the batter’s box and ready to take another cut. Lucas Giolito takes the hill for a potent White Sox offense led by Jose Abreu and Andrew Vaughn – both of whom are primed for big nights. In Pittsburgh, the starting pitcher is "TBD", but that doesn’t change how good things look for the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Jen picks Avisail Garcia to click, while Shawn likes Kolten Wong. In Washington, the Nationals have become trade-deadline sellers, and the visiting Philadelphia Phillies have one of baseball’s best pitchers on the mound in Zach Wheeler. Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins and Andrew McCutchen back him up with plenty of power. Take a quick, 15-minute trip around the baseball betting world with "Sticks & Stacks!"
Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is this week, and a few of the teams that hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) discuss are at the center of the league’s rumor mill — and all the teams are in the Central divisions. We’ll start in Kansas City, where Whit Merrifield is still with the Royals, but might not be for long. Expect runs to be scored with Mike Minor on the mound, squaring off against Dallas Keuchel and the Chicago White Sox. The Pale Hose May be the better team, but Keuchel pitches to contact – and few teams make better contact then the Royals. In Wrigleyville, Kris Bryant is probably on his way out of fading Chicago, yet the Cubs are still favored over the visiting Cincinnati Reds. Runs should be at a premium with Chicago’s Kyle Hendricks and Cincinnati’s Wade Miley on the mound. The underdog Reds find themselves in plus-money territory for savvy investors. In the last match up, the Minnesota Twins host the Detroit Tigers. While Michael Pineda should be able to fan more than a handful of Tigers, don’t let unheralded Detroit starter Matt Manning fool you; The Tigers have been on a roll, and Shawn and Jen are projecting a shootout.
Heading into the weekend, "Sticks & Stacks" hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) go from east to west across the baseball landscape, starting with a matchup between the Miami Marlins and the visiting San Diego Padres that has our hosts seeing things very differently. Starting pitcher Joe Musgrove has been wobbly of late, and Jen sees an opportunity for the Marlins and Adam Duvall to surprise, but Shawn doesn’t trust Miami starter Zach Thompson and likes the Padres to win… although he’s not so sure about the cooling bat of Fernando Tatis Jr.. Over in Houston, the Astros are set for a terrific matchup against their in-state rivals, the Texas Rangers, despite an underwhelming pitching matchup between Kolby Allard and Jake Odorizzi. Jen spotlights the ’Stros’ Jose Altuve, while Shawn’s bullish on the Rangers’ Joey Gallo and bearish on Houston’s Yordan Alvarez. Finally, the pair ventures to Seattle, where the Mariners host the Oakland A’s and underrated hurler Frankie Montas, who Jen believes is in line for a good evening against the M’s. Seattle starter Yusei Kikuchi has struggled since the MLB’s crackdown on sticky stuff, and Oakland’s Matt Olson is ready to pounce – all on today’s "Sticks & Stacks!"
In today’s episode of "Sticks & Stacks," hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) look at a terrific matchup in Buffalo (yes, Buffalo), where the Blue Jays host the Red Sox. Despite Boston's first-place status in the AL East, hitters like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Marcus Semien, and Bo Bichette are licking their chops at the prospect of facing the pedestrian Garrett Richards – but the Red Sox’s Danny Santana has hit three home runs in seven career at-bats against Toronto starter Robbie Ray! In Houston, Shawn and Jen look at an Astros team that’s expected to cruise against visiting Cleveland and rookie hurler Eli Morgan, but are they too heavily favored to be worth it? Could Abraham Toro – Alex Bregman’s fill-in – make for a low-cost option in DFS lineups? The pair also look at the terrific NL Central rivalry between the Cubs and the Cardinals, both of which have exactly the same record. Comparing the two starters – Chicago’s Kyle Hendricks and St. Louis’s Adam Wainwright – Shawn explains why win-loss records shouldn’t affect your decisions, while Jen picks Wainwright to have a good night against the Cubs, who find themselves sellers as the trade deadline approaches.
As Major League Baseball’s second-half schedule gets underway, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@JenPiacenti) look at betting opportunities in Toronto, where the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are primed to build on their All-Star appearances against the visiting Texas Rangers, who will start an underwhelming Jordan Lyles. The Los Angeles Angels are favored at home, but a potential Home Run Derby hangover could be in store for Shohei Ohtani. Surprising starter Chris Flexen gives the underdog Seattle Mariners a chance to pull the upset. Speaking of upsets, Jen and Shawn think that the Colorado Rockies – the All-Star Game’s hosts – have a great opportunity to steal one from starter Julio Urias and the potent L.A. Dodgers lineup at Coors Field, and they’ve got the stats to back it up. For DFS players, Jen picks the St. Louis Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright as a sleeper starter, while Shawn likes Joey’s Gallo’s light-tower power, even against the Jays’ Robbie Ray. Join Shawn and Jen as they get your baseball weekend started – right here, on "Sticks & Stacks!"
At Major League Baseball’s All-Star break, hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@Jen Piacenti) take a look at futures in both the American and National Leagues. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the prohibitive favorites in the NL, but with the San Francisco Giants in first place in the West and the San Diego Padres hot on their heels, will the Dodgers even be able to win their own division? Over in the American League, things are a little tighter, as the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros battle for supremacy – but AL MVP favorite Shohei Ohtani and the eventual returns to health for Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon make the Los Angels Angels a sleeper. In the AL MVP race, it looks like a two-man contest between Ohtani and the Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but if neither team makes the playoffs, will either put up big enough numbers to win? Over in the NL, the Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. has become one of baseball’s most dazzling young talents, but a plethora of Dodgers players might be in the mix, and the New York Mets’ Jacob DeGrom might well be good enough to win the Cy Young and MVP awards this season. Join Shawn and Jen as they peer into their crystal ball – right here, on "Sticks & Stacks!"
When hurlers like Max Scherzer and Yu Darvish are on the hill, strikeouts are always on the menu. Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jen Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) take a look at strikeout props for the pair in San Diego when the Nationals meet the Padres and explain why the Major League Baseball’s crackdown on "sticky stuff" is having such a dramatic effect on hitters and pitchers. An AL central matchup between the underwhelming Tigers and Twins still provides opportunities as pitcher Tarik Skubal and second baseman Jonathan Schoop look set to surprise the favored Twins and ageless slugger Nelson Cruz. Over in Baltimore, expect offensive fireworks when the Blue Jays visit the Orioles, where DFS darlings Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins will try to match Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and the slugging Jays – and Jen has a power parlay that you’ll have to hear to believe – all on "Sticks & Stacks"!
The Stanley Cup Final will have Game 5 tonight and Shawn Drotar and Nate Lundy are here to break down what to expect, and who you can lean on for betting and DFS in the game. With Alex Killorn likely out again, who can step in for the Lightning? Nate and Shawn make their predictions and talk about the best plays for what could be the final night of the 2020-21 NHL season.
Shawn Drotar is joined by Nate Lundy for a betting and DFS preview of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Lightning and Canadians travel north to Montreal as the Habs look to pick up their first win of the series. With Alex Killorn out again for the Lightning, Nate picks a couple of players that can help fill the gap and makes his pick on the moneyline and total for this crucial game.
Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final is tonight and Shawn Drotar is joined by Nate Lundy to break it down for betting and DFS. How will the addition of Joel Armia and the subtraction of Alex Killorn affect both teams and who might benefit from the line-up changes? Plus, Nate is still annoyed at the last minute goal for the Lightning that pushed the total over 5.5, but he thinks tonight will be another low-scoring game and likes the under again. Catch up on betting suggestions, including player props, for tonight's huge game in today's episode.
The AL and NL Central divisions take center stage on Tuesday, as hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacent) look at opportunities in divisional rivalries. In the NL Central, The backsliding Cubs face a hot Brewers team and an even hotter Brandon Woodruff, who looks to build upon what’s looking like a Cy Young-caliber season. Over on the South Side of Chicago, the White Sox’s Lucas Giolito is set to deliver strikeouts galore, but watch out for 40-year-old Nelson Cruz, who’s still packing power for the Twins. The pair go coast-to-coast in their third matchup, as the Mariners are in trouble against resurgent Blue Jays starter Robbie Ray and the red-hot bat of young superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – all on this episode of "Sticks & Stacks!"
As Major League Baseball cracks down on sticky substances, pitchers’ spin rates are in decline and batting averages are creeping up. Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) & Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) take a look at the opportunities available in Baltimore, where the Astros’ Jose Urquidy has a juicy matchup against Cedric Mullins and the O’s. Further south in Miami, the Marlins’ Trevor Rogers and the Blue Jays’ Robbie Ray are expected to keep runs at a premium. Shawn and Jen finish their tour in the Lone Star State, where the A’s Matt Olsen looks to keep his bat hot against the Rangers and struggling pitcher Mike Foltynewicz.
Shawn Drotar is joined by Nate Lundy for today's episode as the guys look at the Stanley Cup semifinals and two huge games in the next two nights. Vegas is back home after evening the series with Montreal at 2-2. Nate is staying away from the moneyline and is focused on the total in that game. Then on Wednesday night, Nassau Coliseum will be rocking as the Islanders try to avoid elimination in Game 6 with the Lightning.
Rolling in to Father's Day Weekend, Shawn Drotar is joined by Nate Lundy to talk some puck as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continue. Montreal stole a game in Vegas, but can they keep the momentum up now that the series shifts to Canada? And with the Lightning sneaking a win in Game 3, will the Islanders be able to even it up at home on Saturday night? All that plus the guys' picks and player props in today's episode.
Shawn Drotar and Nate Lundy are back to talk about the final four teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nate points out that Vegas is a heavy favorite so finding value opportunities for betting takes some digging. He also throws out a few players he likes in Game 2 for your DFS or player props. On the other side of the bracket, The Islanders stole home ice away from the the Rays, but will Tampa steal it back in Game 3? The guys expect a rockin' Nassau Coliseum on Thursday night, but Nate says watch out for the Lightning to strike again.
Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. has been taking his bat to all of baseball, and AL East rival New York is next on his hit list! Hosts Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) and Jennifer Piacenti (@jenpiacenti) take look at big, bad Vlad and his fellow second-generation teammate Bo Bichette as they tangle with the Bronx Bombers. Pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez has had a tough season, and it won’t get any easier for the Red Sox in Atlanta with a left-handed lineup that includes the versatile Ozzie Albies. In the Lone Star State, the Rangers and Astros square off, and though the matchup appears one-sided, the road-kill Rangers have taken three straight from the 'Stros, and Lance McCullers Jr. is likely to be on a pitch count. Shawn and Jen wrap up with a DFS value play in Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon, and look for a round-tripper from Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez – only on "Sticks & Stacks!"
Hosts Shawn Drotar and Jen Piacenti take a look at a wall-banging matchup between the hard-hitting Astros and Red Sox in Boston, digs into an intriguing interleave matchup as Cleveland ditches the DH in St. Louis, and tries to find value despite the dominant Dodgers facing the pitiful Pirates. Lastly, Jen mines for hidden gems in Motown with the M’s in town.
Shawn Drotar is joined by Nate Lundy to take a look at the NHL playoff games for Tuesday and Wednesday. Now that Montreal has moved on in a sweep, there are three games coming up on the schedule including the Lightning and Hurricanes with Tampa Bay having a shot to close out the series. The Golden Knights and Avalanche will play a crucial Game 5 in Denver as the Avs try to rebound from a rough visit to Vegas. Then the guys look ahead to Wednesday's huge Game 6 between the Bruins and Islanders.
Shawn Drotar and Nate Lundy are back to look at Friday and Saturday’s slate of NHL playoff games and in today’s episode, Nate has a definite lean toward all four home teams. Winnipeg will look to avoid dropping back to back games at home against Montreal while Las Vegas will have 100% capacity in their tilt with Colorado looking to end the Avs’ six game winning streak. On Saturday, the oddity of the afternoon game has Nate and Shawn both a little nervous, but Tampa and New York should be able to defend home ice. Plus the guys throw out a few names to watch for player props and DFS.
It’s June, and baseball’s in full swing. Shawn Drotar and Jennifer Piacenti look at an East Coast matchup between the slugging lineups for the Blue Jays and Yankees, but it’s the strikeout potential of Shane McClanahan and Jordan Montgomery that’s worth paying attention to. Out west, the A’s Sean Manaea has a meaty matchup with the M’s, but Jen and Shawn don’t see eye to eye on the run totals in Seattle. They finish their tour in Denver, where the pitching matchup of the Rangers’ Jordan Lyles (a former Rockie) and current Colorado pitcher Antonio Senzatela promises fireworks at hitter-friendly Coors Field.
Host Shawn Drotar is joined by Nate Lundy to talk all things NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs as round two is underway. The Lightning and Hurricanes will play Game 2 tonight and the guys look at Carolina’s home ice advantage and who to expect to step up for the ‘Canes. With Montreal pulling the huge upset over Toronto, Nate wonders whether you can expect the momentum to continue or if the Jets will be able to fly past the Habs. And while the Avalanche dismantled the Golden Knights in Game 1, the guys don’t expect the same for Game 2 on Wednesday in Denver.
Chris Meaney and Jen Piacenti preview Game 6 of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, as well as Game 5 of the NLCS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. They tell you who they think will win and highlight a few of their favorite props on Monkey Knife Fight. They wrap up by providing a few players they think will have a big Week 6 in the NFL.
Chris Meaney and Jen Piacenti breakdown Game 5 of the the ALDS between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. They tell you who they think will win and highlight a few of their favorite props on Monkey Knife Fight. They also preview the NLCS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves, and they revisit the World Series odds. They wrap up by providing a few players they think will have a big Week 5 in the NFL.
Chris Meaney and Jen Piacenti breakdown the postseason schedule for Friday and they preview the ALDS and NLDS matchups. They tell you who they think will win, where the fantasy production may come from and they have future picks. Chris and Jen take a look at some of the props on Monkey Knife Fight and they finish with a few players to target in Week 4 of the NFL.
Chris Meaney and Jen Piacenti scan the 18-game MLB slate for Friday, September 25th. They have winners, home run calls and props to target at Monkey Knife Fight. They tell you which games they expect runs and which players they think will have big fantasy performances. Also, since it’s the last weekend in MLB, they give you their early thoughts on who may win the World Series and which teams could be sleepers. Sign up at MKF today for a FREE $5!
Chris Meaney brings in Pete Jensen of NHL.com to preview the Stanley Cup Final between the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning. They discuss who they like in Game 1, where the points will come from, if it’ll be a high-scoring series and which props to target. They also share their Stanley Cup predictions and who they like to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Meaney runs through his favorite plays on Monkey Knife Fight for Game 1 of the series and he shares how you can get a FREE $5 at MKF.
Chris Meaney and Jen Piacenti are feeling bold on this huge 18-game MLB slate for Friday. They have upset picks, totals to attack and have home run calls for tonight’s home run derby at Monkey Knife Fight. They share how you can get FREE money only to win REAL money at MKF. They run through a few props that stand out and suggest a few players to target in their Star Shootout challenge.
Chris Meaney and Jen Piacenti breakdown the 16-game MLB slate for Friday. They have straight picks, spreads, team totals, over/unders, home runs calls and props to play over at Monkey Knife Fight. They have a FREE $5 for users which you can use at MKF in their Home Run Derby contest. Find out which games to attack from a betting stand point and which players they think will have big fantasy days!
Chris Meaney and Eric Young breakdown Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders. They have picks for Game 2 as well as Monkey Knife Fight props to chose from. If you’re just new to the show and MKF, well Meaney and Young share how you can get a FREE $5 to use for tonight’s contests. Finally, the duo take a look at the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars series, as Meaney looks to build off his 2-0 betting night from Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Monkeys, knives, fights and sports! Sign up and play today at Monkey Knife Fight.
Chris Meaney and Jen Piacenti breakdown the 20 game schedule in the MLB for Friday. They give their favorite picks and share a few World Series props they think you should get involved with now that the MLB trade deadline is over. Chris and Jen also dive into a few props they like at Monkey Knife Fight. They have a FREE $5 up for grabs for you as well as a promo code which will get you even more goodness at MKF.
Chris Meaney and Eric Young break down the two game slate in the NHL on Thursday, September 3rd. They dive into Game 6 between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders as well as Game 6 between the Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks. They have picks, totals and props to play on Monkey Knife Fight. They also share how you can get a FREE $5 at MKF and they have a promo code that will get you even more goodness at MKF. Find out who they like to win tonight and where the goals will come from, as well as a Game 7 preview between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars.
Chris Meaney and Jen Piacenti go around the MLB diamond and highlight their favorite bets for Friday’s games as well as a few series bets they like for the weekend. Chris and Jen tell you why they are targeting the Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres on Monkey Knife Fight. Find out which players they think will have big fantasy games and which props to play. Also find out how you can get a FREE $5 dollars at MKF. Play their winning picks for FREE and win REAL cash at Monkey Knife Fight.
Chris Meaney and Eric Young break down the three game slate in the NHL on Wednesday, August 26th. They have picks and props for you to play at MonkeyKnifeFight.com. They also share how you can get a FREE $5 at MKF and when you use the promo code STICKS, you’ll get even more goodness at Monkey Knife Fight. Find out which players to target and which games to pick in the NHL with today’s episode of Sticks & Stacks. Turn that $5 into real money at MKF.
Chris Meaney and Jen Piacenti go around the MLB diamond and highlight their favorite bets for Friday’s games as well as a few series bets for the weekend. They also have a way where you can get a free $5 at Monkey Knife Fight so you can play their winning picks for today’s MLB slate. Find out who they love, who they don’t love and which players they think will have big fantasy days.
Chris Meaney and Eric Young break down each series in the Stanley Cup playoffs and they share their favorite picks for Tuesday’s action as there are four games on the ice. They dive into some of the surprise teams in the NHL playoffs and whether or not they think they can continue to surprise. Meaney and Young also have a few Monkey Knife Fight props for Tuesday night’s game between the Vegas Golden Knights and Chicago Blackhawks. Find out how you can play for free while having a shot at real money! Finally, the duo give their series picks and provide a few winners for Wednesday’s five game slate.
Chris Meaney and Jen Piacenti go around the MLB diamond and highlight their favorite picks and plays on Friday’s 14 game schedule. They notice a trend in baseball over the last few days so they share a few tips and strategies to help you get the edge. They wrap up with a few props on Monkey Knife Fight that you can play for FREE and win real cash!
Chris Meaney and Eric Young share who they like in each NHL series and they give their final four picks, including who they think will win the Stanley Cup. They have brackets, picks, props, parlays and they share a few picks between the Vegas Golden Knights and Chicago Blackhawks which you can play on Monkey Knife Fight.
Music by Vance MacLeod
Sticks & Stacks with Chris Meaney, Jen Piacenti and Eric Young will be a fast-paced, informative and highly-entertaining show as they take fans through each day’s betting opportunities in both baseball and hockey.
Chris and Jen will head around the diamond with picks, props, bets and fantasy advice, while Meaney and Eric hit the ice for even more betting advice with the hockey version of S&S.
Are you a bigger hockey psycho than EY? Come and find out for yourself each week with Sticks & Stacks!