Phil Naessens
Phil Naessens
18+ years experience 18+ years experience
Prior to joining Covers in 2022, Phil Naessens spent 38 years as a resident tennis pro in Las Vegas, Mykonos, and Corfu Greece. He’s the past host of the Phil Naessens Show (Armed Forces Radio), and currently hosts the tennis betting podcast, This Week in Tennis.
Phil is the author of the Betting 101 series (MLB, NFL, NCAAF, and Tennis) and has written for numerous publications including SB Nation, FanSided and Lenny Melnick Fantasy Sports. Phil curates the Chip and Charge Tennis Newsletter and pens a weekly tennis column called “10 Things About the ATP Tour," for Passing Shot Productions.
His favorite sports to bet on are tennis, MLB, WNBA, Euro men’s and women’s hoops, NCAA sports, NFL, and the NBA. Phil has numerous betting accounts in the US and Europe and his best advice is to line shop for the best value possible.
Sport to bet on: NFL
Sports movie: Remember the Titans
Sports snack: Ice cream
Covers feature: Scores & Matchups
Best Betting Memory
Worst Beat
Padres vs Tigers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s MLB Game
Naessens' prediction: Nick Pivetta's home/road splits are glaring and he will struggle to successfully tame the Tigers' bats for six complete innings, having us target the Under on his outs-recorded prop.
MLB Home Run Props, Picks & Odds Today for 4-20: Paul is Golden
Phil Naessens serves up three of his favorite home run hitters in today's MLB player props slate, including Paul Goldschmidt.
Dodgers vs Rangers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s MLB Game
Corey Seager has been crushing for the Rangers this season, and he'll continue to do damage against a reeling Tyler Glasnow.
Mets vs Twins Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s MLB Game
Getting plus-money odds for Pete Alonso to tally two total bases while he's on a heater and facing an inexperienced SP with middling stuff? Sign us up.
Red Sox vs Rays Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s MLB Game
Shane Baz has looked utterly dominant to start the season and should effectively navigate this dangerous Red Sox lineup. Tanner Houck struggled at first, but he's starting to find his groove and can handle the Rays' bats early on.
Magic vs Hawks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's NBA Game
With the Magic and Hawks set to square off in a Play-In matchup on Tuesday, our NBA betting picks expect both sides to play things close to the vest. Look for Atlanta's reserves to prevail in a low-scoring tilt.
MLB Home Run Props, Picks & Odds Today for 4-13: Wilmer to Win
Wilmer Flores is in a great spot to hit a home run today, per our MLB betting picks. Plus, Phil Naessens has a pair of HR selections from the Blue Jays-Orioles tilt.
Warriors vs Trail Blazers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
Passing has been an underrated part of Draymond Green's game for many years, and it'll be on full display against the Blazers tonight.
Hawks vs Magic Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
The Hawks' soft defense will be sliced and diced by the Magic's Paolo Banchero once more on Tuesday night as Orlando gets a much-needed win, per our NBA betting picks.
Pacers vs Nuggets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
Michael Porter Jr. is frequently dialed in from deep when at home, and he draws a plum matchup for splashing threes with the Pacers coming to town tonight, per our NBA betting picks.
MLB Home Run Props, Picks & Odds Today for 4-6: Cruz Control
Phil Naessens' home run betting picks for Sunday have identified two golden opportunities in today's Yankees-Pirates game, featuring Oneil Cruz.
Yankees vs Pirates Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s MLB Game
Our MLB betting picks expect an improvement off Max Fried's first outing in pinstripes, and for the Yankees hurler to fan plenty of Pirates in their home opener.
Tigers vs Mariners Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s MLB Game
Tarik Skubal labored a bit through his first outing, but that's not entirely surprising as the Tigers lefty had to shake off the rust by immediately facing the Dodgers. He'll rack up the Ks tonight in a much softer landing spot vs. the Mariners.
MLB Home Run Props, Picks & Odds Today for 4-1: Keep on Tuckin'
Kyle Tucker has made his mark early in his Cubs tenure. He went deep last night in Sacramento, and we like him to follow that up with an encore against A's righty Luis Severino as part of our favorite MLB home run props.
UConn vs USC Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight’s Women’s March Madness Elite 8 Game
The Trojans were able to win in the Sweet 16 without their star player JuJu Watkins, but the UConn Huskies are entirely different beasts.
TCU vs Texas Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today’s Women’s March Madness Elite 8 Game
The Horned Frogs are crushing it on offense and will cause problems for a normally stingy Texas squad. The Longhorns can win, but it's far from a certainty, and the 7.5-point spread is much too high.
LSU vs UCLA Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s Women’s March Madness Elite 8 Game
The No. 3 LSU Tigers' defense won't be able to contain Lauren Betts, and that's the key to a No. 1 UCLA Bruins victory in this Spokane Regional Elite 8 game, per our women's March Madness betting picks.
Duke vs South Carolina Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s Women’s March Madness Elite 8 Game
No. 2 seed Duke lost to No. 1 seed South Carolina by 11 earlier in the season, and our women's March Madness betting picks expect a similar outcome in the rematch in this Birmingham Regional final.
March Madness Upset Predictions for the Elite 8
The Tennessee Volunteers have proven to be stingy as underdogs, and Phil Naessens expects the SEC runners-up to keep Houston on high alert Sunday.
Notre Dame vs TCU Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Saturday’s Women’s March Madness Sweet 16 Game
Although Hailey Van Lith & Co. enter this weekend's Sweet Sixteen matchup as 7.5-point underdogs, the Horned Frogs are well-positioned for a potential upset win over the Fighting Irish.
