⚾ Four Games. Four Teams Facing Elimination.
If you East Coasters went to bed before the Padres finally beat the Brewers, here's what you missed: We have four playoff games today — and all four are elimination games.
San Diego survived to force Game 4, while the Dodgers took the swing game in Atlanta for a 2-1 series lead. The White Sox and Rays both have a chance to finish off sweeps.
So we asked Adam Burke for his quick read on all four.
4 p.m. ET — Guardians (+108) at White Sox (-118)
Adam thinks this series is over. Cleveland can't hit, while White Sox manager Will Venable has “managed masterfully” through the first two games.
Both teams are expected to piece together a Johnny Wholestaff game, with Daniel Espino and Joey Cantillo expected to handle the opener/bulk roles for Cleveland and Sean Newcomb opening for Chicago.
6 p.m. ET — Dodgers (-140) at Braves (+126)
Adam thinks this series ends today, too.
“Tyler Glasnow is a pretty good No. 4 starter, eh?” Meanwhile, Adam sees regression signs all over Tyler Mahle's profile — and this isn't the lineup you want to face when those are lurking.
8 p.m. ET — Rays (+144) at Yankees (-156)
Adam calls Max Fried vs. Nick Martinez a “low-key awesome pitching matchup.”
Martinez has historically been better against left-handed hitters and was solid in three regular-season starts against the Yankees, although he hasn't pitched since Sept. 27. “The Rays intrigue me at the price.”
10 p.m. ET — Brewers at Padres
Milwaukee had its chances to finish the series Tuesday, banging out 11 hits and drawing four walks, but couldn't find the big hit that would have sent the Brewers to the NLCS.
San Diego survived without ace reliever Mason Miller, who was on the paternity list, and manager Craig Stammen made the bold call to use Michael King for two innings out of the bullpen.
Neither team listed a starter overnight, leaving plenty of pitching possibilities for Game 4.
Adam's verdict: “Another fascinating game in what has been the best series of the bunch.”
>> Adam Burke's Wednesday MLB Best Bets (later today)
🏈 Fine, You Really Do Love Football
I knew, but I didn't know for sure.
I was wondering if you all would be interested in Southern Miss-Troy on a Tuesday night.
Turns out you were.
Adam Burke's Southern Miss-Troy story was the No. 1 link in yesterday's newsletter.
Alas, Adam's pick of Southern Miss +11 didn't pan out. Troy won 55-34.
But that's not going to stop you from checking out a Conference USA doubleheader on a Wednesday night, is it?
Adam is back with Best Bets on Jacksonville State-Kennesaw State (7 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network) and New Mexico State-FIU (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
>> Adam's Conference USA Best Bets
📊 What Steve's Numbers Say About Tonight
Steve Makinen has been posting his top 15 discrepancies between the actual betting lines and his Effective Strength Ratings.
In response to readers, he expanded that this week to include all 58 FBS-vs.-FBS games. So naturally, I looked up tonight's two games.
Jacksonville State at Kennesaw State
Actual line: Kennesaw State +3
Steve's Effective Play-by-Play line: Kennesaw State +7.1
Difference: 4.1 points, favoring Jacksonville State
New Mexico State at FIU
Actual line: FIU -6.5
Steve's Effective Play-by-Play line: FIU -8.8
Difference: 2.3 points, favoring FIU
In other words, Steve's ratings see Jacksonville State about four points stronger than the market does and FIU a little more than two points stronger.
>> See All 58 Games Ranked by Steve's Biggest Line Discrepancies
🌧️ Keep an Eye on Tuscaloosa
A potential hurricane could force changes to Saturday night's Georgia-Alabama game. The game is still scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, but the weather threat is serious enough that a move is reportedly on the table.
Meanwhile, the betting market is already reacting: The total has fallen from 57 to 52, with Alabama -2.
📉 An Eight-Point Swing in Atlanta
Lamar Jackson's sprained ankle has helped turn Ravens-Falcons upside down.
Circa opened Baltimore -4.5 on Sunday. With Jackson now considered a long shot to play Sunday night — and perhaps a little recency bias after Atlanta's impressive Monday night performance — the line has swung all the way to Falcons -3.5.
Tyler Huntley would start for Baltimore if Jackson can't go.
🏈 Make the Case: Bucs-Cowboys
The Bucs and Cowboys kick off Week 5 on Thursday night, and I want to hear your best handicap.
Make your case in the VSiN Community today. I'll feature the best analysis in Thursday's VSiN Daily.
>> Make Your Bucs-Cowboys Pick in the VSiN Community
☠️ Would You Risk $25 Million on an 0-4 Team?
Only 5,972 of the original 25,017 Circa Survivor entries remain — just 23.9% of the field — and Week 5 doesn't offer many comfortable choices.
Gill Alexander is considering risking it all on an 0-4 team.
Gill and Kelley Bydlon break down the Week 5 board and the choices facing the remaining Survivor entries.
>> Watch Gill and Kelley Break Down the Week 5 Survivor Choices
💵 EdgeBoost
EdgeBoost is offering its customers a $2,000 bonus with at least a $100 deposit if they finish first in the Week 5 Average Joe standings.
⛳ They're Big in Japan
The PGA Tour returns to Japan for the Baycurrent Classic, where defending champion Xander Schauffele (9-1) returns as the favorite.
Wes Reynolds breaks down Yokohama Country Club and has his best bets for the 72-player field.
>> Wes Reynolds' Baycurrent Classic Best Bets
🎙️ Long Shots
Matt Brown, Wes and Kelley Bydlon break down the course, weather, key stats and why this 72-player field may really be more like a 55-player betting field — plus long-shot options including Takumi Kanaya at 100-1 and Matt McCarty at 130-1.
>> Listen to Long Shots | Watch on YouTube
🏒 Jonathan Cashes a +950 Anytime Goal
VSiN hockey analyst Jonathan Davis hit Jesper Boqvist anytime goal at +950 for New Jersey.
The angle: Boqvist now has four goals on 10 shots in six games against Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka.
>> Jonathan Davis' Wednesday NHL Plays (around midday)
⚾ Tony George Stays Hot in MLB
Tony George finished the 2026 MLB regular season +120 units and +$8,060 with a low-volume, strategy-driven approach. His MLB Top Picks are 24-12 YTD.
>> See Tony George's MLB Results
>> Get a Free Trial at Doc's Sports
📖 DonBest Football Rotation Guide
The second half of the season is now available in the DonBest College and Pro Rotation Guide. Purchase the complete guide for $4.99 — or download the updated version if you've already paid.
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