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Saturday’s Sports Lineup is packed with exciting events, featuring a 15-game MLB schedule, the WNBA All-Star Game, and the highly anticipated UFC 318 fights. On Friday, the Cubs ended the Red Sox’s 10-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory, and now both playoff hopefuls will meet again at 7:15 PM ET on Fox as the Cubs aim to extend their four-game winning streak. Although Kate Linklark won’t participate, many star players will compete in the WNBA All-Star Game at 8:30 PM on ABC. In the UFC, Dustin Poirier will conclude his legendary career with a final showdown against Max Holloway headlining UFC 318 on Saturday night.
Here’s a quick preview of the top bets for July 19th, with times listed in Eastern:
MLB Spotlight: Cubs vs. Red Sox
– Time: 7:15 PM | Location: Chicago | TV: Fox
– SportsLine Model Pick: Cubs Money Line (-148)
Leading the NL Central by one game over the Brewers, the Cubs are looking to hold their divisional lead against Boston. Chicago’s Shota Imanaga, boasting a 6-3 record and a solid 2.65 ERA, will take the mound against Boston’s Brayan Bello, who also sports a 6-3 record but a slightly higher 3.14 ERA. Imanaga has allowed fewer than two runs in five of his last six starts, making him a strong choice for bettors. SportsLine’s model rates his performance highly, giving the Cubs’ Money Line an “A” grade with a 67% success rate.
WNBA All-Star Game
– Time: 8:30 PM | Location: Indianapolis | TV: ABC
– SportsLine Expert Pick: Angel Reese All-Star Game MVP (+3000)
The WNBA All-Star Game is set at Gainbridge Field House where top players show off their skills with new rules, including four 4-point zones for long-range shots. Although Kate Linklark will sit out with an injury, hometown favorites Aliya Boston and Kelsey Mitchell are ready to shine. Max Meyer believes Angel Reese is a great value pick for MVP, citing her strong recent performances and her potential to break All-Star records, especially in rebounds.
UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3
– Time: 10 PM (main card) | Location: New Orleans | TV: ESPN+
– SportsLine Expert Picks: Francisco Prado (-130), Nikolei Weretennikov (by Daniel Vitranni)
Dustin Poirier will wrap up his celebrated UFC career with a final bout against Max Holloway. While Holloway is favored at -130, Poirier’s underdog odds at +110 reflect the competitive nature of their rivalry. SportsLine’s MMA expert Daniel Vitranni favors Francisco Prado over Nikolay Veretennikov, noting Prado’s striking power and toughness despite a challenging start in the UFC.
Upcoming: The Open Championship
– Time: Sunday, 4 AM | Location: Northern Ireland | TV: USA Network (4-7 AM), NBC (7 AM-2 PM)
Scotty Schaeffler leads heading into the final round at Royal Portrush, aiming for his first Open Championship victory. Other contenders include Haotong Li, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Rory McIlroy, all looking to close the gap and challenge Schaeffler’s lead.
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Fan Take: For fight fans, Dustin Poirier’s final UFC match marks the end of an era, offering a poignant moment to celebrate one of the sport’s toughest competitors. This fight has the potential to influence the lightweight division’s landscape and inspire a new wave of fighters aiming to follow in Poirier’s footsteps.
