VSiN By The Books | August 5, 2026 | Hour 2

**SPEAKER_1** (0:00)
This is VSiN By The Books, on VSiN, the eSports betting network.

**Dave Ross** (0:16)
If you have not already become a VSiN Pro subscriber, 999, you can sign up today because the College Football betting guide is out right now as we speak. And we have a great offer for you. If you have not already become a VSiN Pro subscriber, 999, you can sign up today because the College Football betting guide is out right now as we speak. So again, that's an intro offer. There are other offers out there. You can extend this 50% off all the way through the Super Bowl if you would like. But if you just want to get in on today and you're not a VSiN Pro subscriber, 999, vsin.com/subscribe. It's fantastic. Matt Umans has got his preseason top 50 for you, previews of all 138 FPS teams, Best Bets Conference Champs from our hosts and experts here at the network. So check it out today.
Much more college football talk, certainly some NFL talk here. Get ready for preseason action to begin tomorrow here in the NFL. But Jensen, let's go back to Major League Baseball because it was a big day for the Dodgers and their new starting left-hander. That's where we begin today's edition for highlights and headlines.

**SPEAKER_1** (1:14)
Help your bottom line with today's highlights and headlines.

**Dave Ross** (1:24)
Tarek Schubel did make that first start as a Dodger. Didn't get to win 5-1, the Cubs get the W there, but he was decent, six innings, six Ks out there. His first time out as a Dodger, he mentioned how nervous he was making his debut for the Dodgers. And then there's George Lombard Jr. who made his debut, got a home run in a Yankees 2-0 win yesterday. So different types of debuts, one an actual one and one with a new team, Jensen, but I think we're gonna be talking a lot about these guys here down the stretch for the Yankees and for the Dodgers, that's for sure.

**Jensen Lewis** (1:58)
Well, it feels like Tarek Schubel needs to be the shot in the arm, the proverbial arm at that of the LA pitching staff. They've since July 1st, Dodgers underwater, 13 and 15 in the win-loss column. They are now losers of five in a row after the Cubs had a game tying home from Dansby Swanson, able to kind of dink and dunk and get a ball at Kyle Tucker, unable to corral headed into the wall and right center field. And so the Cubs now able to potentially complete a sweep of the LA Dodgers here later on today. Just food for thought, and I wanted to bring it up, the Dodgers with their 13 wins since July 1st.
You are looking at a team that has about a four and a half ERA in that span. And I think just still watching the rehab timelines of not only Blake Snell, Tyler Glass now, when we'll show Hey, Ohtani be able to get back fully onto a mound and maybe into a big league game in September if at that something to follow here on the flip side of it, Dave, your Milwaukee Brewers, number one overall seed bet. They are 18 and 12, the Brewers are since July 1st, the only team better than them. And this is still eye popping to see. The Boston Red Sox are 24 and 4 since July 1st.
It's ridiculous. They're on the Red Sox, have been on so far.

**Dave Ross** (3:22)
What year was it for the Tigers? Was it 83, 84? I'm trying to remember. When they got off to, I think it was a 24 and 4 start and went on to win the World Series that year, that's the Kirk Gibson year way, way, way back when. One of the best starts ever in the history of Major League Baseball. But when you put it in that context, Jensen, 24 and 4 now for the Red Sox, this is kind of crazy what they're doing with another win yesterday as they slap around the White Sox yesterday as well. So the Red Sox show no signs of slowing down. Tampa Bay did have a big comeback win last night in Colorado. So with the Yankees winning, the Red Sox still winning and the Rays winning, that division, boy, it feels like three pretty darn good teams here down the stretch they come. Talk much more Major League Baseball, Daily Diamond coming up straight ahead here. This is a big deal in the NFL, Zay Flowers. Four-year extension, $140 million is that extension. Over $100 million of that will be guaranteed. So Jensen, Zay Flowers and the Ravens, they are joined at the hip. Young, talented receiver, maybe a little bit more than what we thought. And I think that's a good sign out there for other receivers. Not to say it resets the market, but certainly does help set it if you feel like you're in an echelon slightly above Zay Flowers.