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MLB & NFL·August 20, 2026

Cole at Camden

One in baseball, one in the NFL preseason.

By C_Boogie33·Sweeps grinder and sports bettor··3 min read
Gerrit Cole delivers a pitch for the Yankees at Camden Yards
Gerrit Cole dealing at Camden Yards, where the Orioles have played .500 baseball all season.
2 PLAYS2.15 UNITSTHURSDAY

Two plays for me tonight, one in baseball and one in the NFL preseason.

The Yankees are getting Gerrit Cole at basically a pick'em price at Camden Yards, and I like the Chargers at pick'em against San Francisco.

Yankees ML at Baltimore

The Yankees are the play for me tonight at basically a pick'em price.

Gerrit Cole gets the ball for New York and he has been pitching well. Cole owns a 3.22 ERA with a 3.56 xFIP and 3.46 SIERA, and he has allowed just four earned runs over his last three starts.

Baltimore counters with Kyle Bradish. His 3.65 ERA looks solid, but the numbers underneath it are not quite as strong. Bradish carries a 4.01 xFIP and 4.31 SIERA, and he lasted only three innings in his last start.

The recent team form also leans New York.

The Yankees have won three straight and have been one of the better road teams in baseball at 40-28 away from home. Baltimore has dropped three straight and is just 32-32 at Camden Yards.

At this price, I like getting the better starter and the team playing better baseball without having to lay much juice.

I am keeping this strictly to the moneyline. The total has dropped to 7.5, both bullpens have been worked, and Cole had a small velocity flag in his last start. That is enough to keep me away from laying the 1.5 runs in a game that could easily stay tight.

Yankees ML (-105)
Risk 1.05u to win 1.00u · Cole vs Bradish · 6:35 p.m. ET
Yankees at Orioles battle card: pitching matchup, team form, bullpens, umpire and park notes
Want the full Yankees and Orioles handicap? Cole against Bradish, both bullpens, the umpire, the park and the splits on one sheet.VIEW BATTLE CARD →

Chargers PK vs. San Francisco

The Chargers are the side for me at pick'em.

San Francisco should have the edge early with Brock Purdy, but preseason games are decided over four quarters, not by the starters. Once the rotations begin, I think the Chargers keep the offense moving longer than the 49ers do.

The number matters too. We are not laying points. At PK -110, the Chargers just need to win the game, and I am comfortable taking that at an even number.

Chargers PK (-110)
Risk 1.10u to win 1.00u · 49ers at Chargers · 10:00 p.m. ET
49ers at Chargers battle card: quarterback rotation, team form, splits and situational notes
Want the full 49ers and Chargers handicap? The quarterback rotations, the splits and the situational notes on one sheet.VIEW BATTLE CARD →

Today's Card

PlayOddsRiskTo WinFirst Pitch
Yankees ML-1051.05u1.00u6:35 ET
Chargers PK-1101.10u1.00u10:00 ET

Total risk: 2.15 units

Two different sports, but pretty simple reasoning on both. Give me the Yankees with Cole at a near pick'em price and the Chargers at PK at home.

Let's get to the window.

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