Bettor Hockey Now January 2nd: 2024 Winter Classic + Fantasy Focus + Minnesota Wild Talk
Published: Jan 03, 2024
Bettor Hockey Now is your weekly home for NHL News, fantasy hockey, and betting discussion. In the first episode of the new year, Adam Bernard, Anthony Rivera & Christopher Morais talk about the frequency of NHL Outdoor Games and whether the Minnesota Wild’s season is on life support or not. They’ll also provide some waiver adds for this week, and “Sweater Whether” is a cross-state battle of outdoor jerseys from yesteryear!
Intro: 00:00
2024 Winter Classic Recap: 03:30
World Juniors Discussion: 13:00
Fantasy Focus - Nico Daws: 19:15
Fantasy Focus - Adam Fantilli: 25:30
Fantasy Focus - Eeli Tolvanen: 29:15
Fantasy Focus - Dennis Hildeby: 34:00
Minnesota Wild Team Focus: 38:30
Sweater Whether - 2019 Outdoor Edition: 50:00
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JJ Bleday is not in the Athletics’ starting lineup for Thursday night’s showdown against the Dodgers.
The Dodgers are going with a bullpen game on Thursday with left-hander Justin Wrobleski expected to work bulk innings out of the bullpen, so Bleday getting a breather makes sense. Seth Brown will start in his place in center field and bat third for the A’s.
Astros’ general manager Dana Brown told reporters on Thursday that the team should know more on Hayden Wesneski (elbow) in the next 36 hours.
The lack of an update isn’t in itself a bad thing, though it sounds like they could be waiting on a second opinion after his MRI revealed only inflammation in his pitching elbow. It sounds like we should have an update on his timeline before the weekend is through.
White Sox acquired RHP Miguel Castro from the Astros for cash considerations.
The 30-year-old right-hander had an opt-out clause coming up in his minor league deal, so the Astros decided to flip him someplace where he’ll get an opportunity. He’s expected to join the White Sox’ bullpen on Friday.
Will Smith is not in the Dodgers’ starting lineup for Thursday night’s tilt against the Athletics.
It appears to be nothing more than a routine night off for the hard-hitting backstop. Dalton Rushing will start behind the plate in his place and will bat seventh against A’s right-hander Osvaldo Bido on Thursday evening.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan expects Jaxson Dart to sit his entire rookie year if “all goes well.”
The problem with that otherwise sensible opinion, of course, is that it is extremely unlikely “all goes well” with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on a roster that found itself picking at No. 3 overall last month. If the Giants are genuinely serious about redshirting Dart for a year, it will be easier than most places because of the presence of two veteran quarterbacks instead of just one, but coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen both have their jobs on the line. That almost equals “break rookie glass.” Teams have become more amenable to sitting blue-chip rookie QBs in recent years, but we would be stunned if Dart fails to make 2025 starts.
Brandon Lowe went 3-for-5 and clobbered a pair of two-run homers on Thursday afternoon, helping to power the Rays to an 8-3 victory over the Blue Jays in Toronto.
Lowe got the Rays on the board before an out had been recorded in the ballgame, ambushing a first-pitch fastball from Kevin Gausman for a 399-foot (105.6 mph EV) two-run blast, giving the Rays an early lead that they would never relinquish. Lowe then put the exclamation point on the victory with a 429-foot (109.1 mph EV) two-run blast off of Jose Urena in the ninth inning. With his three-hit attack, the 30-year-old second baseman is now hitting .220/.272/.373 to go with seven homers and 24 RBI.