Bird Dog
Welcome to our newest feature, The Degenerates. Apparently, we’ve been hiding under a rock of something, because we recently found out we have a chance win money on moto by playing DFS and, well, we’re all in.
How it works: It’s honestly so simple even Troy could figure it out (Editor’s Note: This is TRUE). Just sign up for an account through nxtbets.com/playvurb and make your “Better/Worse” picks. It’s like a parlay for moto.
Disclaimer: Must be 18+ (21+MA & AZ, 19+ AL, NE) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. GP? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Bird Dog:
I’ll be honest, putting my hard-earned dollars to WORK playing Fantasy is now my favorite thing. And that includes hanging out with my family, kicking beers, you name it, this shit is fun. You’ll soon find out how much better I am than Slaw and Troy, so take notes.
Smoking Gun Pick of the Week: Dylan Ferrandis (Better/7.5)
Dylan has been hovering around the 6-9 position for most of the year, so the spread on his Better/Worse for the week is honored. But I know things most normal humans don’t and Ferrandis is an f’ing master in the sand. Not only did he podium at The Wick last year, but he we won the 450 overall in 2021! No way he doesn’t finish 7th or better. I included him in my 6-rider parlay, but I’d take this as a straight up chance to win all day long.
My “I’m Nervous” Pick of the Week: Justin Barcia (Better/7.5)
I get it, the chances of Barcia and Ferrandis making up two of the top seven finishers may not seem like a high probability. But don’t forget, you’re talking to a pro here, a pro that does his research, and Barcia and Ferrandis have both finished inside the top seven 50% of the time this year. Add that to the fact that Barcia has a solid history at Southwick and it felt like the right risk to take.
Grant Harlan (Worse/13.5)
Not to shortchange my boy Harlan here, but while I feel as if he’s going to crack the top ten sooner than later, he doesn’t have the experience at Southwick. Only racing it once in his professional career (14th in 2023) I’m not sold on the fact that he’s going to best that finish. If one pick could ruin my parlay, it’s this one though.
Hunter Lawrence (Worse/2.5)
Chase Sexton is straight up going to outlast Lawrence in the sand. That my story and I’m sticking to it. I’ve got Hunter finishing third , which by my math means he’ll finish WORSE than 2.5.
Malcolm Stewart (Better/9.5)
Pretty simple logic with my Stewart pick. HE HASN’T FINISHED WORSE THAN NINTH ALL YEAR! I’ll take those odds all day long. I also don’t trust anyone outside the top ten to do anything special under the conditions at Southwick.
Christian Craig (Worse/11.5)
I’m not touching this one with a 16-and-a-half-foot pole. I love Craig, more as an SX rider than MX, but the sands of Southwick and his journey from a long standing, nagging injury don’t add up to him finishing inside the top 11.
Troy Dog
You know, this Play MX stuff truly may be my specialty. Also, with Brent and Slaw here giving their picks, you’re going to need an expert in the field such as myself to dial your picks in for the week. So, let’s get into this then. I’m putting my money on these picks for the sands of Southwick and if I were you I wouldn’t even look at Slaw’s picks. They are hot garbage.
Malcolm Stewart (Better/9.5)
This is the easiest pick of the week. Look at Mookie’s results this year! He’s gone 9-8-8-9 to start the season and I’ve got him finishing seventh this weekend. It’s Southwick, he’s ridden sand his entire life, and he’s been a true outdoor warrior so far this season. He’s going to have his best finish at the house that John Dowd built.
Aaron Plessinger (Worse/4.5)
I have nothing against AP at Southwick, but looking at his results so far this outdoor season has me worried. See, AP has done this pattern where he finishes one race outside of the top five, then the next one in it. This week is one of those races that the pattern will be outside of the top five. To be on the safe side, let’s say that he finishes fifth or sixth this weekend. I’m not superstitious…you are.
Hunter Lawrence (Better/2.5)
At this point of the season it’s a safe bet to say that Hunter Lawrence is either going to win or get second. It’s the East swing, so he’s coming in HOT. He’s also a very talented rider at Southwick and has won here in the 250 class.
Justin Cooper (Better/5.0)
I have J-Coop finishing fourth overall this weekend. He’s coming off a vacation at the beach and he’s going to continue that vibe in the sands of Southwick.
Freddie Noren (Better/11.5)
Fast Freddie is going to start a hot streak here and it starts at Southwick. I’m putting my money on him finishing better than 11.5. Noren has his favorite track, RedBud, on the horizon and he’s gone 11-9-11-12 to start the season, so the odds are in his favor to do so. He’s still sitting tenth in the standings.
Jason Anderson (Worse/6.5)
JA can ride anything, but this weekend at Southwick will be one of those weekends that he finishes seventh overall. He’s finished seventh overall at two of the four rounds so far and going by my AP theory, this is one of those weekends that he’s due for a seventh.
Slaw Dog
Lead Slaw Lock of the Week: Justin Barcia (Worse/7.5)
Justin Barcia is great at Southwick. It’s not that I don’t trust Mister Bam, it’s that I don’t trust his knees. One was bad, and then he injured the other one at High Point. He probably hasn’t been riding much, if at all, during the break so I’m projecting—nah, telling you—he won’t finish top 7 this weekend.
Pick Against Me, Pick of the Week: Jason Anderson (Worse/6.5)
When I submitted it, it sounded great. Now I’m having reservations. I don’t trust this, so if you pick it, don’t blame Slaw.
Jett Lawrence (Better/1.5)
Yeah, he’s going to win the overall. Stamp it.
Chase Sexton (Better/2.5)
No one benefited from the break more than Sexton. He bounces back with a runner-up finish this weekend.
Dylan Ferrandis (Better/7.5)
He’s great at Southwick. Finishing seventh or better is a lock to me. Not a Lead Slaw
Lock, but a lock.
Aaron Plessinger (Worse/4.5)
I don’t know, I just don’t like AP at the Wick this weekend. Like, JA, this is not a lock
or anything.
