VIP Picks 9/1/25

3-1 bounce back Sunday was nice and only a Cubs loss to the Rockies away from a perfect 4-0 sweep! Let’s kick off a new week with a winning Monday and oh hey, there’s NFL this week!

MLB:

2:10 EST

Astros (-150)

The Astros will be facing Yusei Kikuchi who they come in hitting .288 against lifetime and they are 7-3 in their last 10 games against him. Luis Garcia will make his season debut for the Astros and he actually hasn’t pitched at the big league level since 2023. He’s a trustworthy starting pitcher with good playoff experience and he’s been solid against the Angels in his career going 5-2 over his last 7 against them. The Angels have won the last 2 but I like the Astros to get the win today.

7:35 EST

Mariners (-108)

The Mariners will face the Rays and pitcher Shane Baz who the Rays have lost 9 of the last 10 games that he has started. Only 2 guys on the Mariners have ever faced Baz but seeing him taking losses recently has me liking the matchup. Luis Castillo will take the mound for the Mariners and he’s held this Rays lineup to a .239 avg in 71 at bats. He also held them to 2 runs over 7 innings last time he faced them on 8/8. The Mariners swept the Rays when they played them less than a month ago and I like them to get the win today. 

8:10 EST

Diamondbacks (-157)

Keep the bet against Patrick Corbin train rolling tonight! The DBacks come in hitting .358 against him in 73 at bats and Corbin has a 7.17 ERA over the last month. Ryne Nelson will pitch for the DBacks and he’s 7-3 on the season plus he was great his last time out only allowing 1 run to the Brewers. He needs to work his was around a few of the guys in the Rangers lineup who have been successful against him but I think he will turn in a solid start for us. He’s pitched 5+ in 13 of his last 14 starts. 

8:00 EST

Team Total 

North Carolina Over (23.5)

We are buying the half point here to get 23.5 vs 24.5 because it’s a key number. A ton of bettors are smashing the under in this game but just because Belichick and son are coaching doesn’t make it a flip the switch shut down defense. I expect there to be plenty of scoring in this game and the experienced TCU team that averaged 32.5 ppg last season. North Carolina brings in QB Gio Lopez through the transfer portal and he was great last season at South Alabama. They have new faces throughout the offense but I think this game is going to be up and down the field. TCU allowed 26.7 ppg a season ago. We are fading the public and grabbing an underdog team total to get an even better number than taking the combined over.