HQ PM Daily Brief 8/17/2025

Sunday Sports Highlights and Betting Tips

The rubber game of the three-game series between the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets will take place at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa. The teams will face off on Sunday Night Baseball at 7:10 p.m. ET in the 2025 MLB Little League Classic. Seattle (68-56) came back to win the first game of the series with an 11-9 victory at Citi Field, while the Mets (65-58) bounced back with a 3-1 home win on Saturday. Both teams are currently in Wild Card positions in their respective leagues.

In the NFL, the second week of the 2025 preseason continues with two games on Sunday. The Jacksonville Jaguars will visit the New Orleans Saints at 1 p.m. ET at the Caesars Superdome, and the Chicago Bears will host the Buffalo Bills at 8 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.

The WNBA schedule features five games on Sunday, including a matchup between the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Dream (21-12) and the red-hot Golden State Valkyries (18-15) at 8:30 p.m. at Chase Center in San Francisco.

MLB Best Bets and Where to Watch

Mariners vs. Mets

• Time: 7:10 p.m.
• Location: Williamsport, Pa.
• TV: ESPN
• Stream: Fubo (Start watching, save $20!)

The Mariners are -124 favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook against the Mets, who are priced at +106. The SportsLine Projection Model suggests the Mets could keep the contest close and potentially record back-to-back victories for the first time since they went on a seven-game winning streak from July 20-27.

Clay Holmes (9-6, 3.71 ERA) will start for the Mets, while George Kirby (8-5, 3.71 ERA) will pitch for the Mariners. In the series opener, the Mets squandered a pair of leads but managed to hold off the Mariners with a one-out ninth-inning homer by Eugenio Suarez.

Additional MLB Best Bets

• Cardinals +1.5 (-128, SportsLine model B-rated play)
• Top expert pick: Athletics -105 (Bruce Marshall)

WNBA Best Bets and Where to Watch

Fever vs. Sun

• Time: 1 p.m.
• Location: Uncasville, Conn.
• TV: NBA TV
• Stream: Fubo (Start watching, save $20!)

SportsLine experts Calvin Wetzel and Aaron Barzilai believe the line is too low despite Indiana star Caitlin Clark being sidelined with a groin injury. The Fever lost their first meeting with the Sun this season but won the next two.

Dream vs. Valkyries

• Time: 8:30 p.m.
• Location: San Francisco
• TV: NBA TV
• Stream: Fubo (Start watching, save $20!)

SportsLine's Max Meyer sees Rhyne Howard converting at least three 3-pointers in this matchup. Atlanta ended its six-game winning streak with an 80-78 loss to the Seattle Storm, while Golden State is on a four-game run after a 90-59 win over the Chicago Sky.

NFL Best Bets Today and Where to Watch

Jaguars vs. Saints

• Time: 1 p.m.
• Location: New Orleans
• TV: NFL Network
• Stream: Fubo (Start watching, save $20!)

SportsLine expert Matt Severance, who has an impressive 37-12 record on his last 49 money-line picks, is going with the underdog Saints. He expects New Orleans to clean up its act after a rough preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Bills vs. Bears

• Time: 8 p.m.
• Location: Chicago
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Fubo (Start watching, save $20!)

SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White believes points will be at a premium in this contest. He doesn't see Buffalo and Chicago lighting up the scoreboard after holding joint practices during the week and expects one team's star quarterback to sit out the game.

Final Thoughts

With multiple high-stakes games across MLB, WNBA, and NFL, fans have plenty to look forward to this weekend. Whether you're tuning in for the action or placing bets, there are several key matchups and predictions to consider. Make sure to check out the recommended streaming options and expert picks to enhance your viewing experience.