Slaw
We are on to California… thankfully. No rain is in the forecast for round 2 of the SMX World Championship Playoffs this Saturday and I think I speak for the entire sport when I say: THANK GOODNESS.
There are been plenty of talk about the good and bad (mostly bad) about the opener and well, I don’t have much to add that you haven’t already digested. So, let’s look toward the positive and focus on what is coming up this weekend. And there is plenty to talk about.
Haiden Deegan is finally a winner in the 450 Class. Muddy conditions or not, Deegas was the best rider last Saturday. Period. I don’t care if you like him, hate him, don’t care about him, I think we can all agree he was the class of the field. And, then there was Hunter Lawrence. I had him as the clear-cut favorite entering the Playoffs. Then we learned about a second wrist injury. And then he had the worst race of his 450 career. And… luckily, it doesn’t really matter all that much, as this weekend will count as double championship points.
Oh, and Jorge Prado has the points lead! What a turnaround for the multi-time World Champion.
As always, the column focuses on the NXTbets odds for the week, so lets get into that.
How it Works
The first thing you want to do is go to NXTBETS.COM/PLAYVURB. Yes, we have our own landing page… for a reason. Then, you want to Choose a Platform, Create an Account and Make Your Picks. Unlike when this launched a few years ago and you could only pick overall winners, NOW you can pick holeshots, podiums, top 5s and so much more. Visit NXTbets, they have a complete guide on how everything works.
NXTbets is more than just moto, so check out their site and see get in on some great signup offers. Odds Subject to Change. 21+ Please refer to Affiliated Operators’s T&C. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
2026 SMX Round 2 Odds
View all the NXTbets.com odds below.
Slaw’s Sleepers
As a 14-time AMA Media Member of the Year nominee, I am not eligible to make any of the picks you are about to see below. Hey, being an Capital J has its drawbacks. But–and believe me I double checked this (I am a 14x Media Member nominee for a reason)–I am ALLOWED to drop my superior knowledge on everyone.
This is my lock of the week. He’s not Mike Alessi, but my goodness, can Jorge Prado get a start. At +300 (!!!!) how can you not take this pick? He grabbed the moto 1 holeshot in the mud last weekend and I think he does it again in dry conditions.
I was a bit concerned about Joey Savatgy coming off such a long layoff and apparently it didn’t ride much going into the opener, and then he went out and got fifth overall. Yes, mud. Yes, you can’t take that as gospel, but Joey had five top 5s in Monster Energy Supercross this year and I think the trend continues. At +446, those are great odds for a sleeper pick.
Remember what I said about the opener not really mattering? I don’t take anything that happened to Hunter Lawrence at the opener that serious. Am I a bit concerned about his wrist? Yes, I am. Do I think he can’t win the overall with it? No, I don’t, which is why I like his +199 odds for overall winner in LA.
Ken Roczen is SOOOO back. I love how Kenny just takes months off, comes out and goes second in his first race back. I’d be so pissed if I went and raced 22 motos, in the heat and Kenny came out and beat me when he spent the summer doing fun stuff. Hey, life. Well, I have Kenny for two things this weekend: overall podium and moto 1 winner. I like him way more for overall podium, so if you are deciding between the two, lean that way.
Get the Edge with NXTbets Player Profiles
Not everyone is as good as me at this, so NXTbets is here to help with their NXTbets player profiles, which has all kind of stats and statistics that will make you much smarter than Bird Dog.
