Betting on NFL preseason? It's a smart move, with the right strategy

We didn't quite think we'd be here, touting a potential edge in a preseason game, but alas, desperate times call for desperate measures. With so few MLB games on the schedule, we're seeing something. The least we could do is share with you what's on our minds.

Houston Texans -3.5 (-108 DK)

If we're going to bet on some preseason NFL, backup QBs are the first stop to look. The logic there is relatively sound: these are the guys expected to play the bulk of the game. While the quality of the offensive line and wide receivers will affect the play of these quarterbacks, we still lean on true NFL experience when possible if we're going to place a wager on a preseason spread.

Houston checks these boxes demonstratively. They selected CJ Stroud with the second overall pick, and the rookie passer is expected to get a few series tonight with the starters. After Stroud, Houston actually has perhaps an enviable QB room, with Davis Mills and Case Keenum behind their rookie investment. Mills has started for the past two seasons, and Keenum has been in the NFL since 2013.

The Patriots have Bailey Zappe behind Mac Jones, who played well in relief last year, but then it drops down to Trace McSorley and Malik Cunningham, who we're less confident in.

Bill Belichick went 1-2 last year in the preseason, while DeMeco Ryans has been a part of Kyle Shanahan's staff that has gone 7-3 over the past three preseasons. 

Give us Houston here to cover the spread, with a fourth-quarter drive by Keenum securing us the win.

In the news ...

Michael Lorenzen tosses no-hitter in second start with Phillies — It's looking like a hell of a pickup for Philadelphia, who added Michael Lorenzen to their rotation before the trade deadline. Lorenzen threw a gem in his first start and followed it up with a no-hitter on Wednesday night against the Nationals. The Phillies currently own the top wild-card spot in the National League, 3.5 games up. They got hot last year shortly after this time, can they do it again? Philadelphia is +750 to win the NL pennant.

PGA Tour merger with PIF may not happen after all — PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan declared himself a hypocrite a few months back with the announced merger with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, but it seems that partnership is far from certain. Multiple PGA Tour players, including Rickie Fowler, have expressed doubt that the deal comes together, citing the need for more buy-in and moving parts that are making the deal more complicated. We'll have to wait and see what happens here.

Meanwhile, the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs begin today with the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Scottie Scheffler is the favorite at +600, but we're liking the value on Collin Morikawa at +2500. This course tends to favor the most accurate golfers, and Morikawa is second in strokes gained on his approaches and fourth in driving accuracy.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll