Well, this is depressing.
Some people are calling it March Sadness. The coronavirus has decimated the sports calendar, laying waste to all kinds of sports coverage – and perhaps a little bit of our hearts too.
The NCAA Tournament, the biggest sports betting event of the year, has been cancelled. The same fate befell the Masters. The NBA‘s season has been suspended and Major League Baseball is delayed too. Pretty much every major league and every major sport in America is on hiatus, with the return dates likely to be at least a month away.
UFC Fight Night in Brazil can fill the sports void
It’s a dark time in the sports world. But one beacon of light will arrive on Saturday in Brazil.
The UFC is holding its Fight Night as scheduled, albeit with no fans in attendance due to coronavirus concerns.
Beyond that, the PA sportsbooks are full of futures bets, with both the MLB and NBA expected to resume their seasons at some point.
So there’s hope on the horizon, with some betting options available to keep you busy until our beloved sports return. Let’s start with this weekend’s action in Brazil.
Kevin Lee, Charles Oliveira meet in the main event
Preliminary fights for the UFC card begin at 3 p.m. Saturday with the main card following at 6 p.m. The matchups and their betting lines according to BetRivers Sportsbook app are as follows:
- Francisco Trinaldo (-175) vs. John Makdessi (+138)
- Johnny Walker (-148) vs. Nikita Krylov (+117)
- Rani Yahya (+150) vs. Enrique Barzola (-190)
- Demian Maia (+151) vs. Gilbert Burns (-190)
- Kevin Lee (-148) vs. Charles Oliveira (+119)
A number of the online sportsbooks also have specials for Saturday’s fights. FanDuel Sportsbook has posted a number of parlay options. FOX Bet has boosted odds on numerous fights and DraftKings has some boosted wagers as well.
If you’re looking for something to bet on this weekend, the UFC event will give you plenty of options.
MLB futures are available while season is on hold
Although there won’t be any baseball games played anytime soon, bettors can still make wagers on the MLB season.
Future bets are available at a number of sportsbooks featuring the World Series champion, the American and National League winners, as well as some player awards and props.
FOX Bet has the Philadelphia Phillies at 20-1 to win the World Series. On the other side of the state, the Pittsburgh Pirates are major underdogs at 100-1.
The New York Yankees are the favorites at +350. And the Houston Astros, who spent the offseason embroiled in a cheating scandal, are next at +600.
In other odds, PlaySugarHouse has the Phillies at +900 to win the National League. The Pirates are 100-1 on that front too. The Los Angeles Dodgers are heavy favorites at +170.
Bryce Harper is 16-1 to win the NL MVP
Some player futures are also available at FOX Bet. Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts is the favorite to be the National League MVP at +550. Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper is 16-1. Teammate Rhys Hoskins returns 50-1 odds.
Furthermore, Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom (+333) is the favorite for the National League Cy Young Award. Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola has boosted odds at +2800.
In the American League, Mike Trout (+125) is the favorite for the MVP and former Pirate Gerrit Cole (+300) is the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award.
Keep the hope, power through
Thanks to the coronavirus, there’s no denying March is a little depressing this year. But that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of hope. A few UFC fights and a few futures bets might help you shake off the sadness.
Before long, the sports will return.
And happiness will arrive right with them.
