Transparency in Action: Investing Alongside Our Community as August Nears Its End

Last night wasn’t our finest moment, going 2-4, but as always, it’s part of the process. One thing we need to address—there was an error on our part yesterday when we provided you with two NCAA Football games that were actually scheduled for tonight. We sincerely apologize for the oversight. But here’s the good news: just as we do with our own personal accounts, we’re rolling those plays forward with the same percentage and at yesterday’s rates. We’re fully transparent in our operations, and it’s important to remember that BrownBagBets LLC invests exactly as we advise our community to do. We’re in this together.

Today, we sit strong at 154% of our starting bankroll as we head into the final two days of August. Despite the small setback last night, we’re still in a solid position and ready to close out this month with strength. With September on the horizon, the MLB season is starting to reveal its playoff colors, and there’s plenty of action ahead.

This weekend, we have a plethora of MLB matchups that are sure to be crucial as the playoff race heats up. The Braves and Phillies face off in what could be a preview of October baseball, the Royals head to Houston to take on the Astros, and the Dodgers travel to Arizona for what promises to be a thrilling series. These are just a few of the many matchups on tap as we dive into the weekend.

Remember, at BrownBagBets, every pick, every percentage, every strategy is backed by the same investments we make ourselves. Our approach is rooted in transparency and shared success. Let’s keep our focus sharp and finish August strong, heading into September with momentum and confidence.

NCAA Football: Florida Atlantic University (FAU) at Michigan State University (MSU)

Coaching Changes and Offensive Uncertainty: The Jonathan Smith era at MSU starts amid significant transition, with the program still feeling the impact of Mel Tucker’s departure. Smith’s success at Oregon State is promising but unproven at MSU. The Spartans struggled offensively last season, ranking 128th nationally in scoring with just 15.9 points per game.

FAU’s Potential and Underdog Value: Tom Herman’s track record as an underdog is strong, with notable success at Houston and Texas. FAU’s QB Cam Fancher, a transfer from Marshall, could be a key asset, providing the Owls with an offensive boost. FAU’s ability to cover a large spread against a transitioning MSU team is worth considering.

Pick: FAU +13.5 / Wager: 4%

NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Wisconsin

Scoring Limitations: Western Michigan is unlikely to put up more than 13 points against a strong Wisconsin defense in Madison. The WMU defense returns seven starters and added transfers from power conferences, suggesting they’ll be competitive against a run-heavy Wisconsin offense.

Wisconsin’s Offensive Transition: Wisconsin struggled offensively last year under Coach Luke Fickell, and this season they’re integrating a new quarterback, Tyler Van Dyke, who was inconsistent at Miami, and a new No. 1 running back, Braelon Allen, who is now in the NFL.

Pick: Under 57.5 / Wager: 3%

NCAA Football: TCU at Stanford

Team Composition and Offensive Efficiency: Stanford returns a wealth of experience, including 6 of their top 7 tacklers, their starting QB, top three receivers, top two running backs, and all five offensive line starters. This depth and experience make them a strong candidate to cover the spread. On the other hand, TCU, while upgrading their defense and boasting a potent offense under Sonny Dykes, might struggle to cover a large spread.

Pace and Scoring Trends: Both teams had issues with red zone efficiency last season, often settling for field goals rather than touchdowns. Stanford’s preference for a slower pace and their recent history of low-scoring games when playing as a home dog with a total under 60 support the likelihood of an under outcome.

Pick: Stanford +9.5 / Wager: 3%

Pick: Under 60.5 / Wager: 3%

MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds (Game 1)

Colin Rea’s Strong Performance: Colin Rea has been consistently effective for the Brewers, boasting an 8-2 record with a 3.39 ERA in his last 15 starts. The Brewers are 18-7 this season with Rea on the mound, including 14 wins by 2+ runs. They’ve also won 4 straight games on the road with him starting.

Brewers’ Recent Form and Reds’ Struggles: The Brewers are on a hot streak, winning 7 of their last 9 games by 2+ runs. They have a 6-3 record against the slumping Reds, who have struggled at home recently. Nick Martinez’s inconsistent performance for the Reds and their current offensive issues add to the Brewers’ edge.

Pick: Brewers -1.5 @ +125 / Wager: 2%

MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at New York Yankees

Cardinals’ Trade Issues: The trade that sent Tommy Pham and Erick Fedde to St. Louis hasn’t panned out well for the Cardinals. Pham was waived, and Fedde has struggled with a 1-3 record and a 4.23 ERA. The Cardinals are also 4 games under .500 on the road.

Yankees’ Bounce-Back Potential: The Yankees return home after losing 2 games to the Nationals. They are likely to come out strong in the Bronx, looking to regain their momentum and secure a comfortable win.

Pick: Yankees -1.5 @ +115 / Wager: 3%

MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at Cleveland Guardians

Recent Form and Momentum: The Guardians seem to have regained some momentum after avoiding a sweep by the Royals and staying in contention for the AL Central. They rallied to win on Wednesday, showing resilience and a potential bounce-back.

Pitching Matchup: The Pirates’ struggles are evident, particularly after being swept by the Cubs and allowing 41 runs in three games. Bailey Falter has a 4.42 ERA on the road and a 5.94 ERA this month. Given the Guardians’ strong bullpen and the Pirates’ weak bullpen, this matchup favors Cleveland.

Pick: Guardians ML / Wager: 3%

MLB: Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers

Pitching Concerns: Jon Gray’s recent performances since returning have been underwhelming, with 8 runs and 9 hits allowed in just 4 innings over two appearances this month. In contrast, JP Sears had a strong run before a rough outing against the Brewers, showcasing his potential for a bounce-back.

Recent Form: The Rangers benefitted from a series against the struggling White Sox, but their performance might not be as reliable tonight. The A’s, despite a close loss to the Reds, have been solid overall, winning 22 of their last 36 games.

Pick: Athletics ML @ +130 / Wager: 4%