“Bear Bets” are real wagers that Chris “The Bear” Fallica is actually making.
For those who have been following Chris Fallica, it’s clear that during football season, he shares weekly picks for both NFL and college football. With the football seasons either behind or ahead of us, depending on perspective, he is now shifting focus to non-football futures wagers that catch his interest.
Adding a financial stake to futures bets can enhance the excitement of sports throughout the year.
From March Madness to Major League Baseball, he has insights across a range of sports.
Now, let’s explore some of his top picks.
VCU to make Final Four
The Rams may not boast a plethora of Quad 1 and 2 victories, but they should not be underestimated as a potential 10 or 11 seed. With a strong defensive lineup ranked 19th in KenPom, VCU is a deep team. Key players like Max Shulga and Joe Bamisile bring significant scoring capabilities. Having previously made the Final Four as a low seed, another run from Ryan Odom’s squad wouldn’t be surprising.
Cornucopian to win Kentucky Derby
Finding fixed-odds for Derby futures requires some effort, with Caesars Las Vegas being a reliable source. Bob Baffert’s promising three-year-old recently won impressively, clocking in four lengths faster than the winner of the Rebel Stakes. Cornucopian must secure a top-two finish in the Arkansas Derby to qualify for the Derby. Baffert has successfully guided latecomers to the Triple Crown before, as seen with Justify. If Cornucopian makes the Derby lineup, he’ll likely be among the frontrunners, making that 33-1 ticket a valuable one.
Joao Fonseca to win French Open
The 18-year-old Brazilian recently triumphed at the NextGen Finals and followed it up with a win at the Argentina Open on clay. While many may favor Carlos Alcaraz for the French Open, there are uncertainties surrounding other competitors like Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic. With questions lingering in the men’s field, taking a chance on a young talent like Fonseca could prove advantageous.
Mark Vientos to lead MLB in home runs
While hitting a 50-1 shot may seem unlikely, Mark Vientos could be the player to benefit most from the addition of Juan Soto to the Mets. After a solid regular season with 27 home runs, Vientos also impressed with three home runs during the postseason. Depending on his batting order position, he might see favorable pitches in hitter-friendly NL East stadiums.
Cole Ragans to lead MLB in Strikeouts (22-1)
Ragans finished fifth in the majors last year with 223 strikeouts, just five behind the leader Tarik Skubal. With a K/9 rate slightly higher than Skubal’s, Ragans has the potential for an even stronger season. Facing teams in the AL Central, such as the White Sox, may also benefit his strikeout totals, positioning him for a Cy Young-worthy performance.
Tanner Bibee to lead MLB in strikeouts
Tanner Bibee is another intriguing option at 80-1 to lead the league in strikeouts. Despite some challenges in going deep into games last year, he recorded 187 strikeouts with a 9.7 K per nine innings. Having finished second in AL ROY voting, Bibee’s potential is substantial, especially against teams in the AL Central. He could be a worthwhile bet for those looking for a long shot.
Bobby Witt Jr. to lead MLB in doubles
Bobby Witt Jr. ranked second in doubles last year and is poised to challenge for the title again. Despite the unpredictability of health, Witt has played consistently well in his three seasons, leading MLB in hits last year. His speed enhances his chances of turning singles into doubles, making him a strong contender for this category.
Mookie Betts to lead MLB in runs
