GAMBLING GUIDE

Bookie Busters: The almighty dollar

Bookie Busters: The almighty dollar
Let's go get that money. Nattapong Wongloungud/EyeEm/Getty Images

Consistency is an important trait to carry throughout life. It can show a level of understanding and the ability to reproduce similar outcomes on a continual basis.

Bookie Busters has been the definition of consistency, and we look to continue our violent ways with the books.

The last edition read
142.9U in the pocket

This last week:
MLB

Astros  -140 2U  +2
Dortmund/Aug Over 3  MAX 3U +3
Tottenham-1.5 for game -130  2U -2.6
Totty TT over 2.5   -125 2U -5.4
Bayern/M'gladbach Over 3.5  MAX 3U +3
 

MLS
Atlanta United halftime/fulltime MAX 3U -115  +3
Frankfurt /Hoffenheim Over 3   MAX 3 -124 PUSH

NFL
Teaser 10 points MAX 3U   +3
Vikings +13
Packers+10
Chiefs/Jags Over 39

Vikings/Eagles  Over 48 MAX -110 3U   -3.3

Monday Night Feast
Chris Thompson Over 4.5 receptions MAX 3U      +3
Alex Smith Over 18.5 fantasy points  MAX 3U -5.3
Redskins/Saints  first half over 24.5   1U +1
OU/Tex-Over 30.5 First half live  MAX 3U +3
Bayern Over 3.5  3U -150 -4.5
United/Castle Over 4 Live  +3
Florida first half under live  -2.2
Florida +3 MAX 5U       +5
LA FC Over 3 PUSH
Khabib MAX 5U     +5
Chiefs -2.5 MAX 3U   +3
Packers Over 51   +3
Dolphins  +7 -2.4
Giants +7   +2U
Steelers TT over 30.5   +3
Vikings TT Over 21 MAX 5U     +5U
Peoples Parlay -1

+23.3U  Last week   16-8 66.6%

142.9 + 23.3= 166.2 Units  ( In Gronk Voice)

If any errors call me bad at math but not a cheat. I do this for you guys! Good luck

We have a ton of international soccer in the next few days to dissect.

Thursday
International Friendly

Iceland vs France  Over 3 MAX 3U

 

Scotland  vs Israel

Scotland Pk DNB     1u

Peoples parlay 1U   3-way

Russia DNB

France over 3 game

Serbia DNB

Thursday night football Prop Buster

Barkley over 5.5 receptions -105 3U MAX

Shepard over 66.5 yards   -140  2U

ODB  Scored TD  -130    1U

ODB receptions Over 7.5   -140  1U

ODB Over 91.5 yards -140  1U

Over 45  2U

 

UPDATE    10:40 CST

England/Croatia

Over 2 -130 MAX 3U

Belgium vs Switzerland

Belgium TT over 2  +105  1U

Hazard anytime goal scorer  +115

 

Peoples Parlay

Chile/Peru Over 2 -130

Slovakia  -175 PK Draw no bet 

Georgia -7 (buy the hook if 7.5) 

Patriots TT over 31.5 -110

 

Peru vs Chile

Over 2 MAX 5U

Shatterday smash the books!

UPDATE 8:44 AM CST

England League 1

Scunthorpe  vs Peterborough
Over 3 MAX

Peoples Parlay

Germany/Netherlands Over 2.5

DC United/Dallas Over 2.5

Cal -6.5

Falcons ML

 

NCAA

Cal -6.5      5U MAX

Oregon +3.5     3U MAX

Iowa State +7  5U MAX

Alabama first half -18.5 1U

Alabama Game under 75  1U

 

UPDATED

Total of the day

Germany/Netherlands Over 2.5        5 U MAX

 

Peoples Parlay #2  risk 1 U on parlays

Minnesota United (MLS) ML

Cal-6.5

Oregon moved to +4

Falcons(NFL) ML

 

MLB

Astors win series vs Boston   -140   5 U MAX

 

 

SNF

Patriots TT over 30.5 -120     5U BOMB

Live Over 66   MAX 5U

Halftime Banger

Pats Over 13.5 TT 2nd half 3U

 

Monday Night football feast

Packers first half TT over 14  (don't play if 14.5 find the 14)    5U MAX

D Adams Over 6.5 receptions   3U

Kittle Over 5.5  receptions   3U

Kittle over 59.5 Yards    3U

Tuesday MLB

Astros -125    2U

Astros TT over 4   MAX 5U


Stay Updated as I will be adding plays and a peoples parlay!!

For any questions or comments reach me @JerryBoKnowz Twitter.

Be sure to check out my new show MoneyLine with Josh Jordan on ESPN 97.5. We’re on every Sunday from 10-noon, and we’ll talk a lot of fantasy football and NFL gambling. Also, be sure to follow us @Moneyline975 on Twitter.

 

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Who can the Astros turn to? Composite Getty Image.

In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.

Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?

The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.

Batter up?

While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.

Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.

GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?

Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.

Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.

No regrets?

There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.

Big deals on the horizon?

All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.

The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.

We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!

*ChatGPT assisted.

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