ASA – American Sports Analysts Handicappers

ASA WNBA play on UNDER 174.5 Minnesota Lynx at NY Liberty, 7:30pm ET - It would only be natural for the Liberty to let down a little here after beating the Aces the other night in the Commissioners Cup Championship game. The Liberty shot 47% overall against the Aces and put up 93-points. We don’t see them replicating those numbers against a Lynx team that allows just 0.942-points per possession, lowest in the league, while holding opponents to just 39.4% shooting overall (1st), 30.6% from deep (2nd). The Lynx defense has been outstanding all season long but in their last 10 games they have only allowed more than 84-points one time and held 6 opponents to 77 or less points. Minnesota is coming off an 85-77 win over the Wings who have similar metrics to the Liberty in terms of offensive and defensive net ratings. Minnesota has the 3rd best offensive Net rating in the league but will face a Liberty defense that has been historically very good. This season the Liberty are allowing the 5th fewest points per possession at 1.009 overall and 0.949PPP on their home court (3rd). New York can match the Lynx on the glass so don’t expect either team to put up many points on 2nd chance baskets. The Liberty are 6th in FG% defense, 4th in 3PT% D. In head-to-head meetings this has been a lower scoring rivalry with 8 of the last ten meetings finishing will less points than tonight’s suggested O/U. Bet the UNDER here.

ASA WNBA play on Chicago Sky +8.5 at Las Vegas Aces, 10pm ET - The Sky got plenty of rest with the Commissioners Cup break while the Aces traveled to New York to face the Liberty in the Championship game. Unfortunately for the Aces they lost to the Liberty and now travel back home to face an improving young Sky team. Chicago had won two straight games against Portland before losing at home to this same Aces team 99-107. A solid indicator of how much better the Sky are playing shows up in their last 5-game Net rating of +4.2 which is 4th best in the league. Granted, Las Vegas is one of the best teams in the league, but they have an average scoring differential of +4.3PPG which is clearly not enough to get a cover in this situation. Chicago has an average margin of victory of -3.1PPG. Las Vegas has really good numbers when coming off a loss but they also just beat this team, are coming off that emotional game in NY AND have a massive game on deck with the Fever. It’s a good spot to grab the value with the Sky.

#966 ASA PLAY ON Cleveland Guardians -130 over Chicago White Sox, Friday at 7:10 PM ET - We lay some moderate juice on this one but there is solid line value here.  This is a big series in the AL Central and we look for the Guardians to build off last night's 6-5 win.  They got the victory via a walk-off 2-run homer in the bottom of the 9th and are now tied at the top of the division with Chicago.  The White Sox continue to have road struggles this season and are 17-27 on the road this year.  The Guardians are 13-7 in divisional games this season and also are 19-11 against left-handed pitchers.  The White Sox are expected to start southpaw Anthony Kay here and he has respectable overall numbers this season but he has a 6.40 ERA in his 7 road starts this season.  Also, he is coming off a tough June in which he compiled a 6.35 ERA in his 5 starts.  Cleveland is expected to have Gavin Williams on the mound here and he is 11-3 in home starts the past two seasons.  Williams has a 2.74 ERA in his 8 home starts this season.  The Guardians are 6-3 last 9 home games.  The White Sox are on a 7-17 run in road games.  Considering all of the above, we lay the price on Cleveland with confidence here for Friday evening.

2026 FIFA World Cup, Round of 32: - #225561/225562 ASA PLAY ON Under 2.5 Goals (-125) – Colombia vs Ghana, Friday at 9:30 PM ET - Ghana is off a 2-1 loss to Croatia but they also have frustrated opponents including quality ones like England in this World Cup. That is why the 2 goals they allowed to Croatia are the first two they have allowed in 3 matches. Colombia is a heavy favorite here and while we do expect them to prevail, we would not be surprised to see a 1-0 final (or max of 2-0) here in this Friday match-up. Colombia is off a scoreless draw and this followed a 1-0 win and all signs point to a 3rd straight clean sheet for Colombia as Ghana plays a very defensive style and also does not possess the quality attackers to pose much of a threat to the back line of Colombia. At the same time, we trust the defensively rigid structure of Ghana to again frustrate another quality opponent for the majority of the match. Colombia should eventually break through for a goal but it is not going to come easy and this match should play out with very little scoring opportunities, especially for Ghana. Take the Under here in the Colombia / Ghana match Friday night.