Note: Betting odds are subject to change.
Value plays
Kayla Miracle is -175 to defeat Mallory Velte (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Kayla Miracle over Mallory Velte (62 kilograms): -175
Miracle is one of America's young, rising stars in women's wrestling. She has three age-group world medals, and earlier this year claimed her fourth WCWA national title wrestling for her father Lee at Campbellsville University. Miracle also has two U.S. Open titles and three University Nationals titles. She has competed well internationally this year. She is currently ranked No. 1 in the world at 62 kilograms based on her points earned during the new ranking series events. The 22-year-old claimed a gold medal at the Klippan Lady Open and a bronze medal at the Pan American Championships. While Velte is a returning U.S. World Team member, she has not had the same international success as Miracle. She has never won a world medal at any age level. Recently she placed eighth at the Klippan Lady Open. These two met in the U.S. Open finals, with Miracle coming out on top 3-0. While the score was close, Miracle was never seriously threatened in the match.
Kayla Miracle vs. Mallory Velte (62 kilograms), 2 matches: -150
As mentioned above, Miracle is the superior, more accomplished wrestler. While there is no guarantee she wins in two matches (or at all), it seems like the most likely outcome. As we have seen so far at Final X, the wrestler who wins the first match typically takes the second match too. All seven matches at Final X in Lincoln last Saturday were decided in two matches.
Logan Stieber vs. Joey McKenna (65 kilograms), Under 11.5 points in Match 1: -115
On the surface, this looks like an Over. Both like to put points on the scoreboard and have a lot of different ways to score. However, Stieber and McKenna have been training partners for the past year and know each other's styles well. Their matches on Saturday will likely be very strategic, resulting in low-scoring, defensive battles. Stieber scored 10 points in each of his two World Team Trials matches against Jaydin Eierman, but don't expect that kind of offensive output against McKenna. McKenna gave up just three points in five matches at the U.S. Open. Four of his five victories were shutouts. I would expect there to be 10 or less points scored in their first match.
Logan Stieber over Joey McKenna (65 kilograms): -140
Stieber, a 2016 world champion, is still wrestling at a very high level at the age of 27. He notched a win over three-time world champion Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan at the Freestyle World Cup in April. While he did take a surprising loss to Jaydin Eierman at the U.S. Open, he came back avenge the loss with two victories over the Missouri Tiger in the finals of the World Team Trials. McKenna, a past Junior world silver medalist, was not only a surprise champion at the U.S. Open, but dominated the competition, outscoring his opponents 50-3. McKenna is savvy and technically sound. Stieber, despite his U.S. Open setback, is still the man to beat in this weight class domestically and America's best chance for a world medal at 65 kilograms. Also, don't overlook the big-brother syndrome. Ever since McKenna arrived in Columbus last summer, Stieber has been a mentor to him. With the way McKenna has been wrestling and the familiarity between the two, I wouldn't be shocked to see the young Buck pull out a victory. I just don't see him beating Stieber twice.
Zahid Valencia dominated Alex Dieringer in the finals of the World Team Trials (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)Kyle Dake vs. Zahid Valencia (79 kilograms), Under 12.5 in Match 1: -115
I don't see much value betting on the winner of the best-of-three series between Dake and Valencia. While I favor Dake, Valencia, as a massive underdog, looked phenomenal in dominating Alex Dieringer in the finals of the World Team Trials. He as aggressive and seemingly scored when he wanted to. Dake should win, which is why he is -350, but it doesn't mean he will. Valencia is very capable, and you can be sure Arizona State coaches Zeke Jones and Chris Pendleton will have a well-devised game plan against Dake. Instead, of forcing a play on the side, I like the Under 12.5. Valencia shut down Dieringer, surrendering only one point in two matches. Dake's incredible defense has been well documented. He has shut down not only some of America's top wrestlers, but also some top foreign wrestlers.
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