The 2025 Premier Lacrosse League playoffs continue with the semifinals on Labor Day. After their first-round byes, top-seeded Denver and New York will face California and Philadelphia, respectively. Let’s dive into how I’m betting each game.
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.
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Philadelphia Waterdogs vs. New York Atlas
 Philadelphia Moneyline/Spread | +132 / +1.5 |
 New York Moneyline/Spread | -162 / -1.5 |
| Total | 25.5 |
| Time | Monday · 12 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel
The Philadelphia Waterdogs and New York Atlas meet for the third time this season and the second time in three weeks. I expect the Atlas to advance, and they’re my pick to win the 2025 PLL Championship, odds aside. That said, the Waterdogs are once again being undervalued in what I think could be another fairly close game. Given the current odds, I’m going to avoid the pre-game spread altogether (though I may bet Atlas live if Philly takes a multi-goal lead early).
Despite the last meeting between these teams setting a PLL record for most combined points, I think the total of 25.5 is about right. Despite both teams featuring prolific offenses, I’m not expecting another shootout like the last game. Both goalies finished with save percentages below 40% and I’d be shocked if that occurs again on Monday. However, I do have an angle for betting the first quarter and first half totals available on FanDuel.
Half of New York’s games this season have stayed under 6.5 in the first quarter and six of their 10 have stayed under 13.5. Meanwhile, only four of Philly’s 11 games have stayed under these marks, but both their games against the Atlas have stayed under 6.5 in the first quarter and the first game stayed under 13.5 as well. I’m also expecting a better showing from goaltender of the year finalist Liam Entenmann, who was just 39.3% in the most recent meeting, and he should help keep these first quarter and first half totals lower than usual. Bet 1st Quarter Under 6.5 at +126 and 1st Half Under 13.5 at +102 on FanDuel.
Despite Michael Sowers being my personal pick for regular-season MVP, I’m banking on New York to limit the Waterdogs attackman for the third straight time this season. Sowers hasn’t played poorly against New York, but he’s been far less prolific against Atlas. He’s had just three points each of his games against New York in 2025 and, as a whole, has stayed under 4.5 points in eight of 11 games this season. Sowers is the engine that makes this offense run, but his impact doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet, and I think his points prop is a point too high for this matchup. Expect New York to limit Sowers’ impact (at least from a points perspective) and bet Michael Sowers Under 4.5 Points at -155 on bet365, BetMGM or DraftKings.
As for New York, I’m expecting Xander Dickson to have a strong performance. The Atlas attackman hasn’t been as productive as in 2024, but is still a key part in this offense and should benefit from the added attention Connor Shellenberger and Jeff Teat will receive. Dickson had three points in his last game against the Waterdogs and has had three or more points in five of 10 games this year and 13 of his last 21 games. Bet Xander Dickson Over 2.5 Points at +115 on bet365.
Finally, I’m once again betting a 0.3 unit on Reid Bowering 1st Quarter Goal Scorer at +270 on FanDuel. Since joining the lineup this season, Bowering has had a goal in five of seven games, including five in two games against Philly this year. He and Jeff Teat have terrific chemistry on the left side, and I love the odds to bet Bowering to score in the opening 12 minutes again this weekend.
Picks: 1Q Under 6.5, 1H Under 13.5, Michael Sowers Under 4.5 Points, Xander Dickson Over 2.5 Points, Reid Bowering 1Q Goal Scorer (0.3 unit)
California Redwoods vs. Denver Outlaws
 California Moneyline/Spread | +150 / +1.5 |
 Denver Moneyline/Spread | -185 / -1.5 |
| Total | 25.5 |
| Time | Monday · 3 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN2 |
Odds via BetMGM
After a long layoff, Denver will face California in the semifinals. There has been a lot of talk about “rest vs. rust” when it comes to the Outlaws, whose last game was nearly a month ago. Yet, I think Denver edges California in almost every facet and expect them to defeat the Redwoods by a notable margin again on Monday. The Outlaws offense has been one of the best in the league with the addition of Jared Bernhardt (more on him later) and the defense is anchored by rookie of the year and goaltender of the year finalist Logan McNaney.
While I’ll give the Redwoods credit for their patience on offense last week, which helped them make Blaze Riorden look pedestrian, they’re facing a much more balanced defense in Denver. California did a great job of attacking Carolina’s weak short-stick defensive midfield unit in the quarterfinals, but Denver boasts arguably the best short-stick defensive midfield in the league and does a great job of converting stops into scoring chances. I expect the Redwoods offense to struggle a bit on Monday and think we’ll see Chayse Ierlen come back down to earth after a career-high 18 saves last week. Bet to win two units on Denver Outlaws -1.5 at -120 on BetMGM.
In addition to backing Denver on the spread, I’m also betting Logan McNaney Over 13.5 Saves at -140 on DraftKings. I bet this earlier in the week and the odds moved a bit, but the line of 13.5 is still a couple saves too low in my opinion. McNaney has surpassed this saves total in five of eight games this season, including his lone start against California. The Redwoods also take the highest amount of shot behind only Denver, so he should see a high enough volume to go over this mark.
I’m also expecting big performances from all four of Denver’s Tewaaraton winners, but the odds for Pat Kavanagh and Brennan O’Neill’s props are sharp, and I’d rather target the two former Terrapins in this offense.
Jared Bernhardt has been a difference maker for Denver and he contributed three points in his only game against California this season. He’s also had four or more points five of nine games this season and should get a favorable matchup against a fairly weak Redwoods short-stick defensive midfield unit. Bet Jared Bernhardt Over 2.5 Points at -110 on DraftKings.
As for the other former Terp, I’m betting all three of Logan Wisnauskas’ props. Wisnauskas had three or more points and two or more goals in both games against California this year, and I like his odds to do so again. Wisnauskas has gone over 2.5 points in half of Denver’s 10 games and over 1.5 goals in four of those games. I recommend betting a unit on Logan Wisnauskas Over 2.5 Points at +165 on bet365 and a half unit on Over 1.5 Goals at +126 on FanDuel. I also like his odds to score a goal in the opening period and recommend betting 0.3 unit on Logan Wisnauskas 1st Quarter Goal Scorer at +180 on FanDuel.
Finally, we’re fading Ryder Garnsey again this week. Despite needing a goal to be overturned, Garnsey stayed under his points total last weekend. Mike Manley has historically dominated Garnsey and I expect the Denver veteran to disrupt Garnsey often this time around as well. The California attackman had fewer than three points in both games against Denver earlier this season and has stayed under 2.5 points in eight of 11 games this year. Bet Ryder Garnsey Under 2.5 Points at -145 on bet365.
Picks: Denver Outlaws -1.5 (2.4 units), Logan McNaney Over 13.5 Saves, Jared Bernhardt Over 2.5 Points, Logan Wisnauskas Over 2.5 Points, Logan Wisnauskas Over 1.5 Goals (0.5 unit), Logan Wisnauskas 1Q Goal Scorer (0.3 unit), Ryder Garnsey Under 2.5 Points
2025 PLL Season Best Bets: 97-86 for +19.075 units
All bets are to win 1 unit or more (i.e. 1.2 units at -120, 1 unit at +120) unless otherwise specified.
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