3rd plays 4th tonight and it’s relatively even money tonight at Marvel Stadium. The Scorchers are ever so slight favourites over the ‘Gades tonight.

Melbourne’s superstar opening partnership is yet to fire so far in this tournament but this matchup against the Scorchers pace attack lowkey has me licking my lips for Jake Fraser-McGurk and Josh Brown. Two boys that love pace on could be set for a big one here.

It seems borderline sacreligious to back the Scorchers to start the season 1-2 but I can’t stop thinking about the Gades batting line up going sicko mode here.

My Bets

• Melbourne Renegades H2H @ $1.98
• Jake Fraser-McGurk Over 18.5 Runs @ $1.87
• Josh Brown Over 16.5 Runs @ $1.87

The Heat get their first game at the Gabba this Sunday against a 1-1 Strikers team and a second win for the reigning premiers here would go a looooong way for their finals aspirations.

$1.90 honestly looks like a lot of value for the Heat, they coasted home in their first game against the Stars, can we read too much into that though? The Stars are losing to everyone.

The bookies rate Adelaide’s chances here too, they’re even money with the Heat but who was their bounce back win against? That’s right, the Melbourne Stars who, like I said earlier are losing to everyone.

Sticking with my gut here, I reckon the Heat are far too good even if we’ve only seen one game from them and they get back Nathan McSweeney who just like majority of Australia will be pissed off he’s wearing teal and not a baggy green this week.

Heat to win

My Bets

• Brisbane Heat H2H @ $1.90
• Nathan McSweeney Top Heat Runscorer @ $4.00
• D’Arcy Short Top Strikers Runscorer @ $5.00

It’s our first Sydney Smash of the summer and the boys who all played Shield together have adorably tried to get a bit of beef started. Moises Henriques has called this an “easy two points” and honestly. I agree with him.

The Thunder were saved by a couple of moments of individual brilliance in their first hitout. Sam Konstas with a stunning 20 ball half century on debut and Daniel Sams taking Lloyd Pope to town at the end to win it. Those stand out highlights kind of covered up a bit of a poor performance in my eyes.

Meanwhile the Sixers looked very comfortable in their win over the Renegades and I reckon they wrap up Saturday night 2-0

My Bets

• Sydney Sixers H2H @ $1.80
• Josh Philippe Top Sixers Runscorer @ $5.25
• Dave Warner Top Thunder Runscorer @ $3.30

Both these sides are winless to start BBL14 and another loss here for the Stars would be disastrous for their campaign. They’re already 0-2 and to go 0-3 would make it very hard to come back from.

The Strikers were in the box seat to win their first game of the season before a 31 run over from Lloyd Pope against the Thunder. They definetly have what it takes to win this one and I believe they’re favourites for a reason.

Chris Lynn to wind the clock back in this game!

My Bets

• Adelaide Strikers H2H @ $1.75
• Chris Lynn Top Strikers Runscorer @ $4.40
• Glenn Maxwell Top Hurricanes Runscorer @ $3.30

The Canes get their BBL14 campaign underway tonight with a matchup against the 0-1 ‘Gades.

The Renegades looked good in patches the other night but are still $2.02 underdogs in this matchup.

It’s a very similar Hurricanes outfit to previous seasons, the likes of Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith and Paddy Dooley all return for the Canes bowling attack and between you and me. I think JFM and Josh Brown take them to town.

They didn’t properly fire in their first hitout but I like them to launch here.

My Bets

• Melbourne Renegades H2H @ $2.02
• Jake Fraser-McGurk Top Renegades Runscorer @ $4.40
• Tim David Top Hurricanes Runscorer @ $5.80

The reigning premiers get their BBL14 campaigned kicked off tonight with a game against the Melbourne Stars who looked very good in their first hit out of the season.

The Heat may struggle to start their year off. Losing Josh Brown to the Melbourne Renegades is a big out and may rear it’s ugly head immediately.

It’s even money for these two sides and I lean towards the Stars here. Marcus Stoinis looked very impressive in their first game and I don’t mind him to be top runscorer again here

Meanwhile on the Heat side, Colin Munro is the no brainer. He was great for the Heat last year before departing and I think he resumes here.

My Bets

• Melbourne Stars H2H @ $1.90
• Marcus Stoinis Top Stars Runscorer @ $3.60
• Colin Munro Top Heat Scorer @ $3.15

David Warner, Australia’s favourite cricket commentator returns for the BBL tonight and he’ll be opening the batting with maybe his favourite opening partner of all time. Cam Bancroft.

This would’ve been a very exciting contest a couple summers ago, Dave Warner v Chris Lynn but I wouldn’t mind seeing a handful of innings from these old heads before I get excited about them.

The Thunder are the favourites here at $1.77 and I think the win comes from their bowling attack here.

Daniel Sams is always reliable for the Thunder but it’s their new signing and one of my favourite bowlers from overseas Lockie Ferguson who I think will be the difference maker here.

Thunder to win, Warner top runscorer, Warner to not shut up about it on the Test broadcast.

My Bets

• Sydney Thunder H2H @ $1.77
• Dave Warner Top Thunder Runscorer
• D’Arcy Short Top Strikers Runscorer

Two very interesting teams this season will do battle in night two of BBL14.

Last years’ runners up the Sixers will host a very new Renegades outfit and we should be in for fireworks here.

The Renegades batting line up may be one of the most exciting on paper, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Brown and Laurie Evans all have the ability to pile on runs very quickly.

Combined with a bowling attack of Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson and young gun Fergus O’Neill. Do they have enough for an upset here?

Sydney’s core remains relatively the same as BBL13. Familiar Sixers names like Vince, Hughes, Phillipe, Henriques, Silk and Edwards should all run out for Sydney tonight and can beat anyone on their day.

I’m leaning towards a ‘gades upset here, they’re fresh. They’re new and I love Josh Brown. It’s a deadset shame the Heat let him go.

My Bets

• Melbourne Renegades H2H @ $2.10
• Josh Brown Top Scorchers Runscorer
• Josh Phillipe Top Stars Runscorer

BBL 14 gets underway on Sunday with the Scorchers hosting the Melbourne Stars over in Perth.

Always BBL powerhouses, the Scorchers are the early favourites in this game and it’s hard to argue when you boast a batting line up that consists of plenty of Aussie T20 players.

Aaron Hardie has been one of our most profitable Scorchers in recent seasons and it might be a smart call to start the season off playing the hits.

Hardie was the Scorchers highest run scorer last season and I like him to get the year started strongly.

Marcus Stoinis is the favourite for Top Melbourne Stars Runscorer and after a few impressive knocks against Pakistan, that’s where my money is too.

My Bets

• Perth Scorchers H2H @ $1.68
• Aaron Hardie Top Scorchers Runscorer @ $4.25
• Marcus Stoinis Top Stars Runscorer @ $4.25