Salt Lake City hosts the 2026 Premier Lacrosse League semifinals on Labor Day. You can read my upcoming USA Lacrosse Magazine preview for the key storylines, players and matchups to watch for each game. However, if you’re looking for my favorite bets for the Eastern and Western Conference championships, then you’ve come to the right place…
Note: The odds presented below are those at the time when Hutton sends his picks out on the Action App and are subject to change.
Utah Archers vs. Denver Outlaws
 Utah Moneyline/Spread | +105 / +1.5 |
 Denver Moneyline/Spread | -125 / -1.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Monday · 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN2 |
Odds via BetMGM
The Utah Archers look to defeat the Denver Outlaws for the third time this season and the second time in Salt Lake City. However, Denver is currently a slight favorite to win.
I didn’t understand this line when it opened and the Utah Archers were as long as a +114 on the moneyline on DraftKings. The market has since shifted with Utah now no longer than +105 on the moneyline, but I still think the wrong team is favored. I certainly wouldn’t be shocked if the Outlaws won, but the Archers match up well with them.
Even if we disregard their first meeting back in May when the Outlaws were missing Mike Manley, Pat Kavanagh and Ryan Terefenko, the Outlaws did not look great when these teams met on July 24. Denver had its full lineup, and while a handful of players, like starting goalie Logan McNaney, weren’t fully healthy Utah won convincingly. The Archers have the defense to slow down this high-powered Outlaws offense and Utah can also match Denver in the transition game. I think the Archers end up pulling off the outright win, and I recommend betting Utah Archers moneyline at +105 on BetMGM and a half unit on Utah Archers -1.5 at +144 on FanDuel.
I’m also going back to the well and betting a Brett Dobson escalator. Dobson has been excellent this season, saving an average of 59% of the shots that he’s faced this season, but hasn’t had to make a ton of saves thanks to the strong defense in front of him. Yet, on Monday I’m expecting the shot volume to be higher and when it comes to the playoffs, Dobson delivers. In four career playoff games, Dobson has made at least 18 saves. While he only made 11 saves in a 16-11 Archers’ win earlier this year, he had 14 and 15 against this offense in two games last season. Trust Dobson to make at least 12 saves on Monday and bet Brett Dobson 12+ Saves at -114, a unit on 13+ Saves at +118, a half unit on 14+ Saves at +154 on FanDuel, and a 0.3 unit on 15+ Saves at +210 on FanDuel.
I’m also betting on Utah’s Sam King and Tre Leclaire to have impactful performances. King has been consistently productive for the Archers, scoring multiple goals in eight of 12 games this season, including seven of his last eight and both games against Denver. He’s also had three or more points in eight games this year. Bet Sam King Over 1.5 Goals at +122 and Over 2.5 Points at +132 on FanDuel.
Leclaire has been more boom-or-bust, but has had multiple goals in half of his games this season, including the latest against Denver, and could benefit from the added attention that Tom Schreiber will draw on the right side in his return to the lineup. Bet Tre Leclaire Over 1.5 Goals at +140 on DraftKings.
Picks: Utah Archers ML, Utah Archers -1.5 (0.5 unit), Brett Dobson 12+ Saves, 13+ Saves, 14+ Saves (0.5 unit) & 15+ Saves (0.3 unit), Sam King Over 1.5 Goals & Over 2.5 Points, Tre Leclaire Over 1.5 Goals, Tre Leclaire Over 1.5 Goals
Philadelphia Waterdogs vs. Boston Cannons
 Philadelphia Moneyline/Spread | -134 / -1.5 |
 Boston Moneyline/Spread | +110 / +1.5 |
| Total | 25.5 |
| Time | Monday · 5:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel
The Philadelphia Waterdogs and Boston Cannons have treated us to some high-scoring games this season, with a 19-5 Boston win in the first meeting and a 17-10 Philadelphia victory. However, both games featured some different personnel. The Cannons’ Week 2 win can be largely disregarded given how many players were missing, particularly CJ Kirst and a handful of rookies on both teams. The second meeting featured rosters that were much closer to what they are now, but neither Sean Byrne nor JC Higginbotham was starting in net for their respective teams, Waterdogs defender Gavin Adler was out with an injury and Boston hadn’t moved Will Donovan to close defense yet.
Both defenses have played much better in recent weeks. With Byrne starting, the Waterdogs have held their opponents to an average of 8.2 scores per game and have yet to give up more than 10 goals against during those five games. Higginbotham has had a similar impact on Boston, allowing an average of just 8.75 goals through four games and saving nearly 58% of shots he’s faced.
All this is to say that I think the total of 25.5 is too high. Expect both defenses to play well enough to keep this total lower than the previous games and bet Under 25.5 at -110 on BetMGM or FanDuel. I also recommend splitting a unit and betting half on 1st Half Under 12.5 at +108 and on 1st Quarter Under 6.5 at +100 on FanDuel.
I also expect Byrne to see a ton of shots and like his chances of going over his saves props. Bet Sean Byrne 12+ Saves at +100, a 0.75 unit on 13+ Saves at +132, a 0.4 unit on 14+ Saves at +175 and a 0.2 unit on 15+ Saves at +250 on FanDuel.
I also expect Boston to have a better game plan for CJ Kirst this time around and expect them to prioritize limiting him as a goal scorer. They allowed the Waterdogs to free up Kirst with off-ball picks and he feasted when not matched up with Owen Grant. With Donovan likely guarding Sowers and Grant likely defending Kirst, I expect Kirst to score less than the last outing. Bet CJ Kirst Under 3.5 Goals at -150 on BetMGM.
I also expect Kieran McArdle to be limited on the stat sheet as well. Since he started splitting time at attack with Silas Richmond, McArdle has had two points or fewer in four of five games. He’s also averaged just 16.8 touches compared to the 28.6 he averaged when playing attack full-time. Bet Kieran McArdle Under 2.5 Points at -146 on FanDuel.
As for Boston, I expect their midfielders to attack Philly’s short-stick defenders. Matt Campbell and Jack Regnery should be heavily involved, but I actually think Mikey Weisshaar will have the biggest impact from the midfield. Weisshaar had two points in each game against the Waterdogs and had multi-point outings in eight of 12 games this season. Bet Mikey Weisshaar Over 1.5 Points at +102 on FanDuel.
Picks: Under 25.5, 1H Under 12.5 (0.5 unit), 1Q Under 12.5 (0.5 unit), Sean Byrne 12+ Saves, 13+ Saves (0.75 unit), 14+ Saves (0.4 unit) & 15+ Saves (0.2 unit), CJ Kirst Under 3.5 Goals, Kieran McArdle Under 2.5 Points, Mikey Weisshaar Over 1.5 Points
2026 PLL Season Best Bets: 150-161 for +25.861 (+10% ROI)
All bets are to win 1 unit or more (i.e. 1.2 units at -120, 1 unit at +120) unless otherwise specified.
Use code “Lax10” to get 10% off your Streaker Sports order!
