Thursday October 8 2026 | 17 games | All times US Eastern Time
October 8 Sports Betting brings one MLB playoff showdown, all 10 NHL games and all six NBA preseason contests into one Thursday guide. Cleveland visits Chicago in ALDS Game 4 at 8:00 PM ET; hockey and basketball begin at 7:00 PM ET. Get the best number before the action starts, and make player availability part of every betting decision.- BETANYTHING: BetAnything.eu/Handicappers_Hideaway
- BETPHOENIX: Check BetPhoenix lines
- BETONLINE: Check BetOnline lines
October 8 Sports Betting Lines
Reference odds checked October 8 before play. Prices below are source snapshots, not guaranteed live prices at the linked sportsbooks. NHL entries show moneylines; NBA entries show spreads. O/U means the full-game total. Pregame games have no score yet.| MLB matchup | Start ET | Moneyline | O/U |
| Guardians @ White Sox | 8:00 PM | CLE -108 / CWS +104 | 7.5 |
| NHL matchup | Start ET | Moneyline | O/U |
| Wild @ Lightning | 7:00 PM | MIN +124 / TBL -148 | 5.5 |
| Stars @ Sabres | 7:00 PM | DAL -105 / BUF -115 | 5.5 |
| Canucks @ Hurricanes | 7:00 PM | VAN +200 / CAR -250 | 6.5 |
| Predators @ Canadiens | 7:00 PM | NSH +164 / MTL -198 | 6.5 |
| Mammoth @ Bruins | 7:00 PM | UTA -105 / BOS -115 | 5.5 |
| Flyers @ Senators | 7:00 PM | PHI -105 / OTT -115 | 5.5 |
| Blackhawks @ Islanders | 7:30 PM | CHI +170 / NYI -205 | 5.5 |
| Sharks @ Blues | 8:00 PM | SJS -110 / STL -110 | 5.5 |
| Avalanche @ Flames | 9:00 PM | COL -218 / CGY +180 | 6.5 |
| Maple Leafs @ Golden Knights | 10:00 PM | TOR +136 / VGK -162 | 6.5 |
| NBA preseason matchup | Start ET | Spread | O/U |
| Celtics @ Cavaliers | 7:00 PM | BOS -3.5 / CLE +3.5 | 222.5 |
| Pelicans @ Heat | 7:30 PM | NOP +7.5 / MIA -7.5 | 234.5 |
| 76ers @ Nets | 7:30 PM | PHI -9.5 / BKN +9.5 | 218.5 |
| Wizards @ Knicks | 7:30 PM | WAS +6.5 / NYK -6.5 | 227.5 |
| Hawks @ Spurs | 8:00 PM | ATL +8.5 / SAS -8.5 | 224.5 |
| Kings @ Lakers | 10:30 PM | SAC +12.5 / LAL -12.5 | 229.5 |
MLB Guardians vs White Sox
MLB Betting Scoreboard
| Game | Score | Status | Start ET |
| Guardians @ White Sox | — | Pregame | 8:00 PM |
MLB Schedule
| Matchup | Round | Venue | Start ET |
| Cleveland @ Chicago | ALDS Game 4 | Rate Field | 8:00 PM |
MLB Betting Lines and Starting Pitchers
| Market | Cleveland | Chicago |
| Moneyline | -108 | +104 |
| Run line | -1.5 (+167) | +1.5 (-174) |
| Total 7.5 | Over +120 | Under -125 |
| Probable starter | Parker Messick LHP | Hagen Smith LHP |
MLB Injury Watch
StatMuse lists Cleveland first baseman Rhys Hoskins on the 10-day injured list with a back injury and reliever Colin Holderman on the 15-day injured list with a wrist injury. Chicago catcher Joey Bart is listed on the 10-day injured list with a hand injury and pitcher Luis Castillo on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder injury. These are listed IL entries, not a substitute for the final postseason lineup. Analyst approach: wait for the batting orders and bullpen availability rather than chasing yesterday’s nine-run Cleveland performance. The Under 7.5 is a market to examine if both starters are confirmed and the strongest relief options are available. At -125, that Under needs a stronger case than the same total at even money. No automatic wager is recommended from the series score alone. Follow more previews at Handicappers Hideaway and compare the posted number with the current market before first pitch.
NHL All 10 Thursday Games
NHL Betting Scoreboard
| Matchup | Score | Status | Start ET |
| Wild @ Lightning | — | Pregame | 7:00 PM |
| Stars @ Sabres | — | Pregame | 7:00 PM |
| Canucks @ Hurricanes | — | Pregame | 7:00 PM |
| Predators @ Canadiens | — | Pregame | 7:00 PM |
| Mammoth @ Bruins | — | Pregame | 7:00 PM |
| Flyers @ Senators | — | Pregame | 7:00 PM |
| Blackhawks @ Islanders | — | Pregame | 7:30 PM |
| Sharks @ Blues | — | Pregame | 8:00 PM |
| Avalanche @ Flames | — | Pregame | 9:00 PM |
| Maple Leafs @ Golden Knights | — | Pregame | 10:00 PM |
NHL Schedule
| Away team at home team | Start ET |
| Wild @ Lightning | 7:00 PM |
| Stars @ Sabres | 7:00 PM |
| Canucks @ Hurricanes | 7:00 PM |
| Predators @ Canadiens | 7:00 PM |
| Mammoth @ Bruins | 7:00 PM |
| Flyers @ Senators | 7:00 PM |
| Blackhawks @ Islanders | 7:30 PM |
| Sharks @ Blues | 8:00 PM |
| Avalanche @ Flames | 9:00 PM |
| Maple Leafs @ Golden Knights | 10:00 PM |
Wild vs Lightning
Minnesota +124 | Tampa Bay -148 | O/U 5.5. Tampa Bay is favored, but a low total leaves less room for a comfortable multi-goal win. Compare the moneyline with a Wild +1.5 price before choosing a market. The Under needs confirmation of both goalies; a backup announcement could change the evaluation.Stars vs Sabres
Dallas -105 | Buffalo -115 | O/U 5.5. This is a narrow moneyline gap. October 8 Sports Betting bettors should resist treating Buffalo’s slight favorite status as a decisive matchup advantage. Compare netminders and regulation prices. A regulation bet excludes overtime protection, so its higher return must compensate for the added draw risk.Canucks vs Hurricanes
Vancouver +200 | Carolina -250 | O/U 6.5. Carolina’s price requires roughly a 71.4 percent win rate to break even before accounting for market margin. That is a demanding entry point. Examine Carolina’s scoring lineup before paying the favorite premium; Vancouver’s payout alone is not evidence that the underdog offers value.Predators vs Canadiens
Nashville +164 | Montreal -198 | O/U 6.5. Montreal is the favorite on this board, with a higher total than most early games. Compare the Canadiens moneyline and regulation price once line combinations are available. Nashville becomes more interesting only if the current price understates its matchup chances, not simply because plus money is available.Mammoth vs Bruins
Utah -105 | Boston -115 | O/U 5.5. The market presents a close contest. October 8 Sports Betting analysis should put goalie confirmation ahead of the tiny price difference. At 5.5, an empty-net sequence can determine the total. Avoid projecting an Under from the number alone without assessing shot quality and special teams.Flyers vs Senators
Philadelphia -105 | Ottawa -115 | O/U 5.5. Another near-even moneyline leaves little room for casual team-name picks. Check whether either side changes its goalie or top offensive unit. A first-period market may suit a specific early-game angle, but it introduces its own volatility and should not replace a clear full-game assessment.Blackhawks vs Islanders
Chicago +170 | New York -205 | O/U 5.5. The Islanders are priced to win about 67.2 percent of the time at break even. With a modest total, covering a -1.5 puck line is a separate proposition from winning. Compare the return against the chance of a one-goal finish before increasing exposure to the favorite.Sharks vs Blues
San Jose -110 | St. Louis -110 | O/U 5.5. Macklin Celebrini is day to day with a lower-body injury, according to NHL.com. His availability could affect San Jose’s attack. October 8 Sports Betting bettors should wait for warmup confirmation and then reassess both the even moneyline matchup and the total; day to day does not mean confirmed out.Avalanche vs Flames
Colorado -218 | Calgary +180 | O/U 6.5. Colorado’s implied break-even win rate is about 68.6 percent. The larger total makes special-teams efficiency relevant, but does not establish an Over edge. Compare the favorite price with regulation and puck-line alternatives only after assessing Calgary’s starting goalie and the expected scoring units.Maple Leafs vs Golden Knights
Toronto +136 | Vegas -162 | O/U 6.5. The final hockey game starts at 10:00 PM ET. Vegas is favored, while Toronto offers the underdog payout. Keep bankroll available deliberately rather than chasing early losses. The best late-game decision depends on confirmed lineups and price, not the results of the first nine games. Official injury update: NHL.com on Celebrini Other NHL availability and starting goalies require game-day confirmation. An unlisted absence should not be interpreted as a clean injury report.Mid Article Line Check Heritage and Flush
October 8 Sports Betting continues into the NBA slate below. Before adding another wager, compare the same market and settlement rules across books. A hockey regulation line and a moneyline including overtime are different bets.- HERITAGE: Compare Heritage lines
- FLUSH: Compare Flush lines
- YOUWAGER: Compare YouWager lines
NBA All 6 Preseason Games
NBA Betting Scoreboard
| Matchup | Score | Status | Start ET |
| Celtics @ Cavaliers | — | Pregame | 7:00 PM |
| Pelicans @ Heat | — | Pregame | 7:30 PM |
| 76ers @ Nets | — | Pregame | 7:30 PM |
| Wizards @ Knicks | — | Pregame | 7:30 PM |
| Hawks @ Spurs | — | Pregame | 8:00 PM |
| Kings @ Lakers | — | Pregame | 10:30 PM |
NBA Preseason Schedule
| Matchup | Venue | Start ET |
| Celtics @ Cavaliers | Rocket Arena | 7:00 PM |
| Pelicans @ Heat | Kaseya Center | 7:30 PM |
| 76ers @ Nets | Barclays Center | 7:30 PM |
| Wizards @ Knicks | Madison Square Garden | 7:30 PM |
| Hawks @ Spurs | Frost Bank Center | 8:00 PM |
| Kings @ Lakers | Crypto.com Arena | 10:30 PM |
NBA Moneyline Reference Prices
| Matchup | Moneyline |
| Celtics @ Cavaliers | BOS -155 / CLE +135 |
| Pelicans @ Heat | NOP +240 / MIA -285 |
| 76ers @ Nets | PHI -305 / BKN +255 |
| Wizards @ Knicks | WAS +205 / NYK -240 |
| Hawks @ Spurs | ATL +225 / SAS -265 |
| Kings @ Lakers | SAC +360 / LAL -450 |
1 Celtics vs Cavaliers
Boston -3.5 | Cleveland +3.5 | O/U 222.5. EV Analytics lists Boston as the favorite, while other retrieved boards show a different market direction. Refresh the spread before publishing or betting. A same-day Cleveland preview reports no submitted injury report for either team; that does not confirm full availability. Analyst approach: wait for rotation details.2 Pelicans vs Heat
New Orleans +7.5 | Miami -7.5 | O/U 234.5. This is the highest NBA total in the reference table. An Over case needs sustained pace and usable scoring rotations, not merely a high opening number. October 8 Sports Betting bettors should check how long Miami’s leading players are expected to play before laying more than two possessions.3 76ers vs Nets
Philadelphia -9.5 | Brooklyn +9.5 | O/U 218.5. A sizable favorite and the lowest NBA total on the board create a demanding cover scenario. Philadelphia must build separation while keeping enough offense on the court. Analyst approach: examine Brooklyn’s available rotation and Philadelphia’s minutes plan before choosing between the spread and a first-half market.4 Wizards vs Knicks
Washington +6.5 | New York -6.5 | O/U 227.5. The Knicks are favored at home, but home court does not resolve preseason rotation uncertainty. The Washington spread becomes more appealing if New York limits its principal players; that is a condition to verify rather than an asserted plan. Watch for lineup news that changes the total as well.5 Hawks vs Spurs
Atlanta +8.5 | San Antonio -8.5 | O/U 224.5. The Spurs price assumes a meaningful advantage, but covering requires that advantage to persist into reserve minutes. October 8 Sports Betting bettors should check both teams’ intended workloads. Analyst approach: avoid paying for a projected full-strength mismatch if the actual game plan uses a short starter stint.6 Kings vs Lakers
Sacramento +12.5 | Los Angeles -12.5 | O/U 229.5. The largest spread on the NBA board belongs to the final game at 10:30 PM ET. Earlier-week Lakers injury reports should not be carried forward as confirmed Thursday absences. Obtain the latest availability update before betting. A late reserve-heavy stretch can turn a comfortable lead into a failed cover. For continuing basketball coverage, visit our NBA and WNBA page. Thursday’s basketball slate in this guide consists of NBA preseason games.Before You Bet Four Final Checks
- Confirm MLB starters and batting orders, NHL goalies and scratches, and NBA availability and minutes plans.
- Refresh the price. These reference tables do not guarantee the same number at your sportsbook.
- Compare settlement rules, including listed pitchers and overtime treatment.
- Set a slate-wide bankroll limit. Seventeen games create choices, not an obligation to bet every matchup.
References and Sports Reference Links
Sources accessed October 8, 2026. Editorial references below are ordinary hyperlinks. Matchup angles are the author’s conditional analysis, not source-endorsed picks.- StatMuse MLB game odds pitchers injuries and series results
- SportsCapping NHL reference odds October 8
- EntitledSports NHL schedule October 8
- whynba NBA preseason schedule
- EV Analytics NBA reference odds
- NHL Celebrini injury report
- Fear the Sword Celtics Cavaliers preseason availability preview
- Baseball Reference Guardians White Sox matchup
- Hockey Reference season schedule
- Basketball Reference