The Ravens are huge favorites against the Colts and are still worth taking, plus other best bets for Monday

Among the best components of being a sports activities fan is arising with dumb concepts that is likely to be sensible, and I used to be struck over the pinnacle with one on Sunday evening. I used to be watching Recreation 3 of the ALDS between the Rays and Pink Sox when Tampa’s Manuel Margot tried to steal second base. Margot beat the throw, however as typically occurs, his momentum carried him off the bag whereas sliding, and he was dominated out as Xander Bogaerts saved his glove on him. It was fairly lower and dry.

However what if it wasn’t? MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has tried all types of rule modifications to make baseball extra entertaining, and he is employed Theo Epstein to determine doable modifications, too. Nicely, gents, in the event you’re studying this (and why would not you be), I’ve one: What if we deal with second and third base the identical approach we deal with first base and residential plate? What I am saying is, what if a baserunner solely has to the touch the bottom to earn security. They will slide by way of it or run by way of it. It is customary apply at first the place it is at all times a force-out, and the runner can run 100 toes previous the bag and down the primary bottom line if he chooses. It is solely when he makes a transfer towards second that he is “reside” once more.

Do the identical factor at second and third! It will encourage extra aggressive baserunning, which might improve scoring and supply extra actionable moments throughout a sport.

Consider the unimaginable slides you see at house plate when a participant is making an attempt to keep away from a tag, and now think about those self same slides being commonplace at second and third. A baserunner would not have to fret about sliding in a method to keep on the bottom however as an alternative might simply give attention to beating the ball and the tag.

All I am saying is that MLB ought to strive it on the minor league degree or in an impartial league, prefer it has tried different drastic rule modifications. It is a simple change that may considerably influence the leisure worth.

OK, now that I’ve improved baseball, it is time to enhance your retirement fund.

All occasions Japanese, and all odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook

🔥 The Sizzling Ticket

🏈 Colts at Ravens, 8:15 p.m. | TV: ESPN
The Decide: Ravens -7 (-110): Let me begin by saying how detest I’m to wager favorites of this measurement in NFL games. It goes towards practically every little thing I consider about betting the NFL. And that is why you have to be assured within the choice. I would not be right here publicly touting a play I hate if it wasn’t the precise play, and based mostly on every little thing I’ve seen, it is the precise play.

The Ravens are authentic Tremendous Bowl contenders. They’ve gained three of their first 4 video games and have been an time beyond regulation away from a 4-0 begin. The Colts are a group that started the season with the hope that enjoying in a horrible division would supply them a path to the playoffs, the place they’d seemingly lose to a very good group. As a substitute, that not appears doable after a 1-3 begin to the season. One of the best participant on the Colts offense is Jonathan Taylor, and he is coping with a knee harm that is saved him restricted in apply all week. Carson Wentz will play, however he is Carson Wentz.

OK, that final sentence was merciless, however the largest downside this Colts offense has confronted in 2021 has been the purple zone. This season, the Colts have had 15 drives into the purple zone and have reached the top zone on solely six of them. Their 40% TD price within the purple zone is the worst within the NFL, and their general rating price of 73.3% ranks twenty eighth. Tonight they face a Ravens group that has scored on each purple zone possession it is had and has discovered the top zone eight occasions in 11 journeys. Baltimore has been above common defensively within the purple zone, rating thirteenth within the league in rating price towards. The Colts rank twenty third. The Colts will want huge performs to remain on this sport, however they’re dangerous at that too. Via 4 weeks, the Colts have had 13 performs of 20 yards or extra, which ranked twenty sixth within the league heading into Week 5 (it ranks thirtieth following Sunday’s video games). It is arduous to discover a path to victory or a canopy for the Colts right here.

Key Development: The Ravens have coated in 9 of their final 12 video games.

Here is what SportsLine is saying concerning the sport: SportsLine’s Mike Tierney is 19-10 ATS in his final 29 picks involving the Baltimore Ravens, and he has a pick posted for tonight’s game.

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