In what feels like forever ago, I had a lousy Week 3 of the PLL season in Columbus, going 1-3 to lose 2.28 units. Let’s bounce back this weekend, as after a few weeks off for the World Games, the league heads to Minneapolis for Week 4.
Waterdogs vs. Chrome (7/8 6:00)
This has the potential to be a fun game. The Waterdogs are 2-1, coming off a huge 19-18 win over the Atlas in Week 3. Their offense has averaged 12 scores per game on an average of 42 shots per game and their defense has allowed an average of 11.7 scores per game. The Chrome, after being pretty impressive last year, have not done much this season. Coming off a 14-13 loss to the Cannons in Week 13, they’re just 1-2 on the season and have struggled on both ends of the field. They’ve scored just 10.7 scores per game on an average of only 38.3 shots per game, while having allowed an average of 12.3 scores per game. These teams played twice last season, splitting those matchups, with the Chrome winning 17-14 in Week 3 and then the Waterdogs answering back with an 11-10 win in Week 7. I like the Dogs to win this game and will take them for a unit. I also like the over here, which I will take for half a unit.
Cannons vs. Atlas (7/8 8:30)
These two teams have played pretty similar lacrosse so far through three weeks of this season, with solid offense but terrible defense. Going into the season, coming off being the sole team to miss the playoffs last year, I expected the Cannons to be horrible and even worse without Lyle Thompson playing this year. They got their first win of the season in Week 3, pulling off a 14-13 win over the Chrome in Columbus. They’ve been pretty good offensively, even without Lyle, averaging 13.3 scores per game on an average of 39 shots. The Atlas have been quite disappointing. They’re 1-2 after a disappointing 19-18 loss last week to the Waterdogs They have the highest scoring offense in the PLL, averaging 14 scores per game on an average of 44.7 shots per game. The defenses of both of these teams have been the worst in the PLL, both allowing an average of 14.3 scores per game. The Atlas dominated the only game between these teams last season, winning in a 16-8 blowout in Week 2. I love the over in this game, which I will take for 1.5 units. I also expect an Atlas win to bounce back from their loss last week, and will take them for a unit.
Redwoods vs. Chaos (7/9 2:00)
This should be a really fun game. The Chaos are 2-1 after a big 15-10 win in Week 3 over the Archers on a five goal performance from Josh Byrne. Through their three games this season, including Week 1 where they were without a majority of their offense, they’ve averaged 12 scores per game on an average of 36.7 shots per game. The Chaos have the best defense in the PLL, backstopped by former MVP Blaze Riorden in goal, allowing an average of just 10.3 scores per game. The Redwoods have been pretty good this year. They’re 2-1, taking their first loss of the season in Week 3, with the Whipsnakes crushing them 18-11. The Woods have averaged 11.3 scores per game on an average of 42.3 shots per game and they have allowed an average of 13 scores per game. These teams split their two games last season, with the Redwoods winning 11-7 in Week 3 and the Chaos getting their revenge with a 14-12 win in Week 8. I’d slightly lean the Chaos win here, and would slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet on either, so I’ll just stay off this game entirely.
Whipsnakes vs. Archers (7/9 4:30)
We have a great matchup to close out the weekend with both teams being pretty good on both ends of the field. The Archers are 2-1 on the year, coming off their first loss of the season in Week 3, where they lost 15-10 to the Chaos after winning by multiple goals in both previous matchups, beating the Cannons 16-13 on Opening Weekend and then crushing the Chrome 12-7in Week 2 in Charlotte. They’ve averaged 12.7 scores per game on an average of 44.7 shots per game and have allowed an average of 11.7 scores per game. The Whipsnakes, after losing both of their first two games of the season after being the most dominant team since this league started, finally got their first win of the season in Week 3, crushing the Redwoods 18-11. On the season they have been great on both ends of the field, having scored an average of 13.3 scores per game on an average of 42 shots per game and allowing an average of just 11.7 scores per game. These teams played just once last season, with the Whips winning 13-11 in Week 9. I’d lean the Whipsnakes and the under, but not enough to bet on either in what I think is the most competitive and closest game of the weekend, so I’m staying off both Sunday games.
Bets
1u Waterdogs ML (-121)
.5u Waterdogs/Chrome over 23.5 (-134)
1u Atlas ML (-167)
1.5u Atlas/Cannons over 24.5 (-127)
Record: 3-7 (-3.12 units)
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A Town's Zone 