Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior underwent successful right shoulder arthroscopy on Tuesday, ending his 2007 season.
The surgery was performed in Birmingham, Alabama by Dr. James Andrews, who performed a debridement of Prior's right rotator cuff as well as repair of labral and capsular injuries in his shoulder.
Prior began a comprehensive rehabilitation program in Birmingham on Wednesday overseen by Dr. Andrews and the Cubs medical staff and will continue his rehab program into the offseason.
After spring training this year, Prior didn't go with the Cubs to start the season. Instead, he remained behind in Mesa, Arizona for extended spring training. He only had one outing, which ended early because of discomfort in his shoulder.
Prior was 0-2 in four spring training games, three of which were starts, with a 6.97 ERA this year.
Last season, Prior was limited to just nine games because of the shoulder problem, going 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA. Prior to his injuries, he won 18 games in 2003, helping the Cubs reach the NLCS for the first time since 1989.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Phils Option Smith to Minors
The Philadelphia Phillies optioned pitcher Matt Smith to their Triple-A affiliate in Ottawa and recalled pitcher Fabio Castro on Thursday.
The 27-year-old Smith recorded a dismal 11.25 earned run average in nine games for the Phillies this season. He was acquired by Philadelphia last summer as part of the trade that sent Bobby Abreu and the late Cory Lidle to the New York Yankees.
Smith had a 2.08 ERA in 14 games with Philadelphia in 2006.
Castro, 22, was 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in six appearances for Ottawa this season.
The 27-year-old Smith recorded a dismal 11.25 earned run average in nine games for the Phillies this season. He was acquired by Philadelphia last summer as part of the trade that sent Bobby Abreu and the late Cory Lidle to the New York Yankees.
Smith had a 2.08 ERA in 14 games with Philadelphia in 2006.
Castro, 22, was 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in six appearances for Ottawa this season.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Mitchell Named Coach of the Year
Sam Mitchell, who guided the Toronto Raptors to an NBA-best 20-game improvement this season, was named Coach of the Year on Tuesday.
Mitchell garnered 49 first-place votes and 389 points from a panel of 128 sports writers to become the first Raptor head coach to capture the Red Auerbach Trophy.
Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan was second with 301 points (39 first-place votes) and Dallas' Avery Johnson was third with 268 points (28 first-place votes). Candidates were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote received.
In his third season as the Raptors' head coach, Mitchell led his club to its first Atlantic Division title and a franchise-record-tying 47 wins. That gave Toronto the third seed in the Eastern Conference and home court advantage in the playoffs for the first time in team history.
That was a dramatic turnaround, as the Raptors went just 27-55 in 2005-06.
Mitchell played 13 seasons in the NBA before retiring in 2002. It took him just two years as an assistant coach before being tabbed head coach of the Raptors in June of 2004.
The Raptors finished 33-49 in his first season as head coach.
Mitchell garnered 49 first-place votes and 389 points from a panel of 128 sports writers to become the first Raptor head coach to capture the Red Auerbach Trophy.
Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan was second with 301 points (39 first-place votes) and Dallas' Avery Johnson was third with 268 points (28 first-place votes). Candidates were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote received.
In his third season as the Raptors' head coach, Mitchell led his club to its first Atlantic Division title and a franchise-record-tying 47 wins. That gave Toronto the third seed in the Eastern Conference and home court advantage in the playoffs for the first time in team history.
That was a dramatic turnaround, as the Raptors went just 27-55 in 2005-06.
Mitchell played 13 seasons in the NBA before retiring in 2002. It took him just two years as an assistant coach before being tabbed head coach of the Raptors in June of 2004.
The Raptors finished 33-49 in his first season as head coach.
Bengals Sign LB Miller
The Cincinnati Bengals signed restricted free agent linebacker Caleb Miller to a one-year contract on Tuesday.
The versatile Miller appeared in every contest last season for the Bengals and started four games at middle linebacker as well as three games at outside linebacker.
He finished the campaign third on the team in tackles with a career-best 100.
In three seasons with Cincinnati, the former Arkansas product has totaled 150 tackles and one sack.
The versatile Miller appeared in every contest last season for the Bengals and started four games at middle linebacker as well as three games at outside linebacker.
He finished the campaign third on the team in tackles with a career-best 100.
In three seasons with Cincinnati, the former Arkansas product has totaled 150 tackles and one sack.
Lofton Headed Back to Tennessee for Senior Season
Guard Chris Lofton announced on Tuesday he will return to the University of Tennessee for his senior season and will not enter the NBA Draft.
Lofton led the Volunteers and the Southeastern Conference in scoring this past season, averaging 20.8 points per game. He also led the league in three- pointers per game (3.42).
"After reviewing my draft status, I have decided to remain at the University of Tennessee for my senior year," Lofton said. "According to the information that we received from the NBA draft advisory committee I was not guaranteed to be selected in the first round of this year's draft. Because of this, I have decided not to submit my name for the draft. I appreciate all of Coach (Bruce) Pearl's guidance throughout this process. Coming back for my senior year will give me the opportunity to work on my game so I can become a better player. There are also a lot of things that we can accomplish here as a team."
Lofton, the Southeastern Conference player of the year, also announced that he has been invited by USA Basketball to attend the trials for the 2007 Pan American Games Team.
Lofton led the Volunteers and the Southeastern Conference in scoring this past season, averaging 20.8 points per game. He also led the league in three- pointers per game (3.42).
"After reviewing my draft status, I have decided to remain at the University of Tennessee for my senior year," Lofton said. "According to the information that we received from the NBA draft advisory committee I was not guaranteed to be selected in the first round of this year's draft. Because of this, I have decided not to submit my name for the draft. I appreciate all of Coach (Bruce) Pearl's guidance throughout this process. Coming back for my senior year will give me the opportunity to work on my game so I can become a better player. There are also a lot of things that we can accomplish here as a team."
Lofton, the Southeastern Conference player of the year, also announced that he has been invited by USA Basketball to attend the trials for the 2007 Pan American Games Team.
Big Unit Back on the Mound Tuesday
Randy Johnson will make his much anticipated season debut Tuesday night against San Diego after the club activated him from the 15-day disabled list.
The 43-year-old Johnson had back surgery in October then pitched in three rehab starts before being cleared to begin his second stint with the Diamondbacks.
He and Arizona fans hope it's just as successful as the first. Johnson won four of his five Cy Young Awards with Arizona and the club won the 2001 World Series.
Then, Johnson spent two frustrating campaigns with the New York Yankees before being shipped to the desert in a January trade.
To make room on the roster for Johnson, the club optioned right-hander Yusmeiro Petit to Triple-A Tucson.
The 43-year-old Johnson had back surgery in October then pitched in three rehab starts before being cleared to begin his second stint with the Diamondbacks.
He and Arizona fans hope it's just as successful as the first. Johnson won four of his five Cy Young Awards with Arizona and the club won the 2001 World Series.
Then, Johnson spent two frustrating campaigns with the New York Yankees before being shipped to the desert in a January trade.
To make room on the roster for Johnson, the club optioned right-hander Yusmeiro Petit to Triple-A Tucson.
Rams Acquire Dante Hall
The St. Louis Rams acquired wide receiver/kick returner Dante Hall for a fifth-round selection in the 2007 NFL draft on Wednesday.
Hall returned 53 kickoffs for a 22.8-yard average and 27 punts for an 8.9-yard average and one touchdown in 2006. He also caught 26 passes for two touchdowns.
"We have filled a need with one of the top players in football at his specialty, returning punts and kicks," said Rams head coach Scott Linehan. "Dante will fit in nicely on our special teams and can be utilized as a receiver in certain situations."
Hall is one of the best returners in NFL history with 11 career returns for touchdowns. The eight-year veteran has averaged 24 yards per return on 360 kickoffs and a 10-yard average on 188 punt returns in seven seasons with the Chiefs.
Hall also has two punt return touchdowns in excess of 90 yards in his career and three kickoff returns of more than 97 yards.
With one more kick return for a touchdown, the 28-year old Hall will tie Eric Metcalf for second all-time in the NFL. Brian Mitchell is the all-time leader with 13.
Hall returned 53 kickoffs for a 22.8-yard average and 27 punts for an 8.9-yard average and one touchdown in 2006. He also caught 26 passes for two touchdowns.
"We have filled a need with one of the top players in football at his specialty, returning punts and kicks," said Rams head coach Scott Linehan. "Dante will fit in nicely on our special teams and can be utilized as a receiver in certain situations."
Hall is one of the best returners in NFL history with 11 career returns for touchdowns. The eight-year veteran has averaged 24 yards per return on 360 kickoffs and a 10-yard average on 188 punt returns in seven seasons with the Chiefs.
Hall also has two punt return touchdowns in excess of 90 yards in his career and three kickoff returns of more than 97 yards.
With one more kick return for a touchdown, the 28-year old Hall will tie Eric Metcalf for second all-time in the NFL. Brian Mitchell is the all-time leader with 13.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Howard Returns to Lineup for Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard returned to the lineup on Sunday after missing the last three games with a sprained ligament in his left knee.
Howard originally suffered the injury while running out a fielder's choice grounder in the 10th inning of Wednesday's 13-inning 5-4 loss to Washington.
The reigning National League MVP finished 0-for-5 in the game and is hitting just .213 with one home run and seven RBI entering Sunday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds.
Howard originally suffered the injury while running out a fielder's choice grounder in the 10th inning of Wednesday's 13-inning 5-4 loss to Washington.
The reigning National League MVP finished 0-for-5 in the game and is hitting just .213 with one home run and seven RBI entering Sunday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Braves Extended Cox Through 2008
The Atlanta Braves signed manager Bobby Cox to a one-year contract extension through the 2008 campaign on Wednesday.
Cox, the winningest coach in Braves franchise history, is in his 26th season as major league skipper and his 22nd year as Atlanta's manager. (1978-81, 1990-present). His 2,180 career wins places him fifth on the all-time wins list and second among active managers.
"No one is more deserving of this than Bobby Cox and we are very pleased to extend his contract through 2008," Braves executive vice president and general manager John Schuerholz said. "We feel that Bobby is the best manager in the game and his place in baseball history is well-secured. His leadership has helped the Braves to set a very high standard of excellence."
Cox has notched 1,825 victories with the Braves and has guided the club to 14 straight division championships, five National League pennants and a World Series title.
The 65-year-old Cox has also led Atlanta to Major League Baseball's best overall record since 1991 (1,519-1,018).
Cox, the winningest coach in Braves franchise history, is in his 26th season as major league skipper and his 22nd year as Atlanta's manager. (1978-81, 1990-present). His 2,180 career wins places him fifth on the all-time wins list and second among active managers.
"No one is more deserving of this than Bobby Cox and we are very pleased to extend his contract through 2008," Braves executive vice president and general manager John Schuerholz said. "We feel that Bobby is the best manager in the game and his place in baseball history is well-secured. His leadership has helped the Braves to set a very high standard of excellence."
Cox has notched 1,825 victories with the Braves and has guided the club to 14 straight division championships, five National League pennants and a World Series title.
The 65-year-old Cox has also led Atlanta to Major League Baseball's best overall record since 1991 (1,519-1,018).
Giants Sign Backup QB Wright
The New York Giants have signed quarterback Anthony Wright to compete for the backup role to Eli Manning.
Wright spent last season with the Cincinnati Bengals, appearing in four games completing all three of his passes for 100 yards.
He has played in 28 games, string 19 times, since coming into the league with the Steelers in 1999. Wright has completed 55.4 percent of his passes for 3,578 yards, 20 touchdowns and 25 interceptions during his career, which also includes stops with Dallas and Baltimore.
Wright spent last season with the Cincinnati Bengals, appearing in four games completing all three of his passes for 100 yards.
He has played in 28 games, string 19 times, since coming into the league with the Steelers in 1999. Wright has completed 55.4 percent of his passes for 3,578 yards, 20 touchdowns and 25 interceptions during his career, which also includes stops with Dallas and Baltimore.
NFL Fines Urlacher $100,000
Chicago Bears defensive linchpin Brian Urlacher was fined $100,000 by the NFL on Wednesday for wearing a hat on Super Bowl media day that featured a logo from a company not affiliated with the league.
According to the NFL, it's a longstanding policy that applies year round at league games and events, which includes media day at the Super Bowl.
The 28-year-old Urlacher, who had three interceptions last season, was limited to zero sacks for the first time in his career. However, he helped the Bears to the Super Bowl before losing to Indianapolis.
According to the NFL, it's a longstanding policy that applies year round at league games and events, which includes media day at the Super Bowl.
The 28-year-old Urlacher, who had three interceptions last season, was limited to zero sacks for the first time in his career. However, he helped the Bears to the Super Bowl before losing to Indianapolis.
NCAA Again Approves 32 Bowl Games for Next Season
The NCAA approved and licensed 32 bowl games for the 2007 season, the same as last year.
The approval comes as the NCAA Postseason Football Licensing Subcommittee said about $217.6 million in bowl revenue from this past season was distributed to participating teams and conferences. Approximately 1.6 million fans attended the bowl games.
Existing bowls that have been licensed for 2007-08 include: Alamo, Allstate Sugar, AT&T Cotton, AutoZone Liberty, BCS National Championship, Bell Helicopter Armed Forces, Brut Sun, Capital One, Champs Sports, Chick-fil-A, Emerald, Fed Ex Orange, Gator, Gaylord Hotels Music City, GMAC, Humanitarian, Insight, International, Meineke Car Care, Motor City, New Mexico, Outback, Pacific Life Holiday, Papajohns.com, PetroSun Independence, Pioneer Pure Vision Las Vegas, R+L Carriers New Orleans, Rose, San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia, Sheraton Hawaii, Texas and Tostitos Fiesta.
"The subcommittee is pleased to license all 32 bowls that took place last year," said Jeff Hathaway, director of athletics at the University of Connecticut and acting chair of the NCAA Postseason Football Licensing Subcommittee. "It shows the good work and management that these bowl organizers have done to create a positive experience for the student- athletes."
The approval comes as the NCAA Postseason Football Licensing Subcommittee said about $217.6 million in bowl revenue from this past season was distributed to participating teams and conferences. Approximately 1.6 million fans attended the bowl games.
Existing bowls that have been licensed for 2007-08 include: Alamo, Allstate Sugar, AT&T Cotton, AutoZone Liberty, BCS National Championship, Bell Helicopter Armed Forces, Brut Sun, Capital One, Champs Sports, Chick-fil-A, Emerald, Fed Ex Orange, Gator, Gaylord Hotels Music City, GMAC, Humanitarian, Insight, International, Meineke Car Care, Motor City, New Mexico, Outback, Pacific Life Holiday, Papajohns.com, PetroSun Independence, Pioneer Pure Vision Las Vegas, R+L Carriers New Orleans, Rose, San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia, Sheraton Hawaii, Texas and Tostitos Fiesta.
"The subcommittee is pleased to license all 32 bowls that took place last year," said Jeff Hathaway, director of athletics at the University of Connecticut and acting chair of the NCAA Postseason Football Licensing Subcommittee. "It shows the good work and management that these bowl organizers have done to create a positive experience for the student- athletes."
Spurs C Oberto Treated for Chest Pains
San Antonio Spurs center Fabricio Oberto felt abnormal sensations in his chest on Wednesday and underwent a procedure to restore his heart to its normal rhythm.
A cardiologist determined that a minor trauma to his chest caused a heart arrhythmia. Oberto returned home after the procedure and is in stable condition.
He will be monitored the next few days and is expected to play in the Spurs' first round series against Denver. Oberto averaged 4.4 points and 4.4 rebounds for San Antonio this season.
A cardiologist determined that a minor trauma to his chest caused a heart arrhythmia. Oberto returned home after the procedure and is in stable condition.
He will be monitored the next few days and is expected to play in the Spurs' first round series against Denver. Oberto averaged 4.4 points and 4.4 rebounds for San Antonio this season.
NBA Playoffs to begin Saturday
The Dallas Mavericks ripped through the NBA regular season with a league-best 67-15 record, but could they be ripe for an opening-round upset?
The Mavericks easily posted a franchise-record for wins and with Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Jason Terry leading the way it would seem they'd be hard to stop. That is if they weren't playing the Warriors.
Golden State secured the eighth and final playoff spot, moving to the postseason for the first time since the 1993-94 season with a blowout win at Portland on the final night of the regular season. Now, Baron Davis and Co. get to face a team they went 3-0 against this year.
The Mavericks, in fact, have lost five straight regular season games to the Warriors, but now come the playoffs. Golden State hasn't won a postseason series since 1991, while Dallas hopes to make the next step after losing to Miami in the NBA Finals a year ago.
The NBA playoffs start Saturday with four games, three of them in the Eastern Conference. The Mavericks begin their best-of-seven series Sunday night.
The Central Division-champion Pistons, who were beaten by Miami in the East finals last year, are the top seed in the conference and will take on the Magic, starting Saturday night. This is Orlando's first trip to the playoffs since 2003, when they were beaten by Detroit in the first round. The Pistons dominated the Magic this year, winning all four meetings.
LeBron James leads the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Washington Wizards in the first round, beginning Sunday afternoon. The Cavs beat Milwaukee on the final night of the regular season to edge Chicago by a game for the second seed. This marks the second straight year the Cavs and Wizards will meet in the opening round. Last year, James led his team to a victory in six games, with the Cavaliers winning three times by a point, including in the final two games. Cleveland then lost to Detroit in the East semifinals.
The Wizards, who secured the seventh seed by beating Indiana on Wednesday, enter the playoffs shorthanded due to injuries to Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler. Butler broke his right hand, but hopes to be ready possibly for the second round, if Washington gets that far. Arenas tore his left knee and needed surgery, and likely will be out for the entire postseason.
Toronto, the Atlantic Division champs, takes on New Jersey in the first round, starting Saturday afternoon. The Raptors are back in the postseason for the first time since the 2001-02 season when they were beaten by the Pistons in the first round. The Nets are making their sixth consecutive trip to the postseason and it will give Vince Carter a chance to play in the playoffs against his former team.
Even though the Heat are seeded fourth and won the Southeast Division, they will not have home-court advantage in the first round against the Bulls because Chicago finished with a better record. It's been a long and winding road to the regular season finish for the Heat, who had to endure injuries to Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade, but their two superstars are geared up for the postseason.
"It is great to wear the crown all year and to be rewarded at different places we go," Wade said. "It is great to be recognized as the champions wherever we went. It was also tough being the ones who are hunted for night in and night out. It was also tough not having Shaq for 40 games this year and not having me for 30. It was a tough year. But it is a different season now and we are looking forward to defending our crown."
The Bulls are trying to avoid being bounced in the first round for a third straight year. Their last playoff series win was over Utah in 1998 in the NBA Finals. One advantage, the Bulls won three of the four meetings this year against the Heat.
The Heat-Bulls series starts Saturday afternoon.
The Pacific Divison-champion Phoenix Suns, who attained a 61-21 record, are seeded second in the West and will play Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs for a second straight year. The series begins Sunday afternoon. The Suns rallied from a 3-1 series deficit last year to win in seven games, the season in which Steve Nash won his second straight MVP. The Suns are trying to overcome losing in the conference finals the last two years.
Allen Iverson gets his first taste of the playoffs as a Nugget, as Denver and Carmelo Anthony take on third-seeded San Antonio, starting Sunday evening. The Spurs posted 58 wins during the regular season, and with Tim Duncan in the middle and Tony Parker controlling the tempo, provide an interesting matchup with the Nuggets. Denver won 100-77 over the Spurs on the final night of the regular season, but reserves saw action most of the game.
The Nuggets haven't won a playoff series since 1994, while the Spurs are trying to get back to the NBA Finals for a third time in five years.
The 4-5 matchup in the West will be between Utah and Houston. Even though the Jazz won the Northwest Division, they will not have home-court advantage as the Rockets finished with a better record. Utah beat Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady's Rockets in three of the four meetings this season.
The Jazz-Rockets series starts Saturday night.
The Mavericks easily posted a franchise-record for wins and with Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Jason Terry leading the way it would seem they'd be hard to stop. That is if they weren't playing the Warriors.
Golden State secured the eighth and final playoff spot, moving to the postseason for the first time since the 1993-94 season with a blowout win at Portland on the final night of the regular season. Now, Baron Davis and Co. get to face a team they went 3-0 against this year.
The Mavericks, in fact, have lost five straight regular season games to the Warriors, but now come the playoffs. Golden State hasn't won a postseason series since 1991, while Dallas hopes to make the next step after losing to Miami in the NBA Finals a year ago.
The NBA playoffs start Saturday with four games, three of them in the Eastern Conference. The Mavericks begin their best-of-seven series Sunday night.
The Central Division-champion Pistons, who were beaten by Miami in the East finals last year, are the top seed in the conference and will take on the Magic, starting Saturday night. This is Orlando's first trip to the playoffs since 2003, when they were beaten by Detroit in the first round. The Pistons dominated the Magic this year, winning all four meetings.
LeBron James leads the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Washington Wizards in the first round, beginning Sunday afternoon. The Cavs beat Milwaukee on the final night of the regular season to edge Chicago by a game for the second seed. This marks the second straight year the Cavs and Wizards will meet in the opening round. Last year, James led his team to a victory in six games, with the Cavaliers winning three times by a point, including in the final two games. Cleveland then lost to Detroit in the East semifinals.
The Wizards, who secured the seventh seed by beating Indiana on Wednesday, enter the playoffs shorthanded due to injuries to Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler. Butler broke his right hand, but hopes to be ready possibly for the second round, if Washington gets that far. Arenas tore his left knee and needed surgery, and likely will be out for the entire postseason.
Toronto, the Atlantic Division champs, takes on New Jersey in the first round, starting Saturday afternoon. The Raptors are back in the postseason for the first time since the 2001-02 season when they were beaten by the Pistons in the first round. The Nets are making their sixth consecutive trip to the postseason and it will give Vince Carter a chance to play in the playoffs against his former team.
Even though the Heat are seeded fourth and won the Southeast Division, they will not have home-court advantage in the first round against the Bulls because Chicago finished with a better record. It's been a long and winding road to the regular season finish for the Heat, who had to endure injuries to Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade, but their two superstars are geared up for the postseason.
"It is great to wear the crown all year and to be rewarded at different places we go," Wade said. "It is great to be recognized as the champions wherever we went. It was also tough being the ones who are hunted for night in and night out. It was also tough not having Shaq for 40 games this year and not having me for 30. It was a tough year. But it is a different season now and we are looking forward to defending our crown."
The Bulls are trying to avoid being bounced in the first round for a third straight year. Their last playoff series win was over Utah in 1998 in the NBA Finals. One advantage, the Bulls won three of the four meetings this year against the Heat.
The Heat-Bulls series starts Saturday afternoon.
The Pacific Divison-champion Phoenix Suns, who attained a 61-21 record, are seeded second in the West and will play Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs for a second straight year. The series begins Sunday afternoon. The Suns rallied from a 3-1 series deficit last year to win in seven games, the season in which Steve Nash won his second straight MVP. The Suns are trying to overcome losing in the conference finals the last two years.
Allen Iverson gets his first taste of the playoffs as a Nugget, as Denver and Carmelo Anthony take on third-seeded San Antonio, starting Sunday evening. The Spurs posted 58 wins during the regular season, and with Tim Duncan in the middle and Tony Parker controlling the tempo, provide an interesting matchup with the Nuggets. Denver won 100-77 over the Spurs on the final night of the regular season, but reserves saw action most of the game.
The Nuggets haven't won a playoff series since 1994, while the Spurs are trying to get back to the NBA Finals for a third time in five years.
The 4-5 matchup in the West will be between Utah and Houston. Even though the Jazz won the Northwest Division, they will not have home-court advantage as the Rockets finished with a better record. Utah beat Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady's Rockets in three of the four meetings this season.
The Jazz-Rockets series starts Saturday night.
QB Mustain Will Transfer to USC
Quarterback Mitch Mustain is set to transfer to USC.
According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, the quarterback had been contemplating transferring to either USC or Tulsa.
On Wednesday Mustain made his decision and picked the Trojans. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback was one of the top recruits in the country before committing to the Razorbacks.
Mustain started eight games for Arkansas as a Freshman last season and passed for almost 900 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He will not be eligible to play for USC until the 2008 season.
According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, the quarterback had been contemplating transferring to either USC or Tulsa.
On Wednesday Mustain made his decision and picked the Trojans. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback was one of the top recruits in the country before committing to the Razorbacks.
Mustain started eight games for Arkansas as a Freshman last season and passed for almost 900 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He will not be eligible to play for USC until the 2008 season.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
White Sox Place Podsednik on 15-Day DL
The Chicago White Sox placed outfielder Scott Podsednik on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to April 16, with a right abductor pull.
The 31-year-old Podsednik is hitting .303 with one home run, two RBI, and six runs scored in 10 games this season.
The White Sox called up 22-year-old Boone Logan from Triple-A Charlotte. Logan is 0-1 with a 2.16 ERA and 11 strikeouts in four relief appearances with Charlotte this season. Logan pitched in 21 games with the White Sox in 2006, allowing 16 earned runs in 17 1/13 innings.
The 31-year-old Podsednik is hitting .303 with one home run, two RBI, and six runs scored in 10 games this season.
The White Sox called up 22-year-old Boone Logan from Triple-A Charlotte. Logan is 0-1 with a 2.16 ERA and 11 strikeouts in four relief appearances with Charlotte this season. Logan pitched in 21 games with the White Sox in 2006, allowing 16 earned runs in 17 1/13 innings.
Astros Place Jennings on DL
The Houston Astros placed right-hander Jason Jennings on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 9, on Tuesday due to elbow flexor tendinitis in his pitching elbow.
An MRI performed showed no structural damage.
The 28-year-old Jennings, acquired from the Colorado Rockies in the offseason, is scheduled to undergo rehabilitation of rest, medication and treatment, according to the Astros.
He has a career record of 58-57 with a 4.72 ERA with Colorado and Houston.
The Astros recalled pitcher Matt Albers from Triple-A. Albers will pitch on Friday against Milwaukee.
An MRI performed showed no structural damage.
The 28-year-old Jennings, acquired from the Colorado Rockies in the offseason, is scheduled to undergo rehabilitation of rest, medication and treatment, according to the Astros.
He has a career record of 58-57 with a 4.72 ERA with Colorado and Houston.
The Astros recalled pitcher Matt Albers from Triple-A. Albers will pitch on Friday against Milwaukee.
West Stepping Down With Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies director of basketball operations Jerry West announced on Tuesday that he is stepping down from his post after this season.
West, whose move will be official on July 1, has been with the team since 2002. He has one year left on his current contract, a deal he signed prior to the 2005-06 season.
West, the NBA's 2004 Executive of the Year with Memphis, cited turmoil within the organization for his reason to depart. The Grizzlies reportedly have lost $40 million.
The Grizzlies are an NBA-worst 21-60 this season with one game remaining. Memphis fired Mike Fratello as head coach this past season after the club got off to a 6-24 start. The team made the post-season the last three years, but was swept in the first round each time.
West, 68, was also the Executive of the Year in 1995 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
West, whose move will be official on July 1, has been with the team since 2002. He has one year left on his current contract, a deal he signed prior to the 2005-06 season.
West, the NBA's 2004 Executive of the Year with Memphis, cited turmoil within the organization for his reason to depart. The Grizzlies reportedly have lost $40 million.
The Grizzlies are an NBA-worst 21-60 this season with one game remaining. Memphis fired Mike Fratello as head coach this past season after the club got off to a 6-24 start. The team made the post-season the last three years, but was swept in the first round each time.
West, 68, was also the Executive of the Year in 1995 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sonics Likely Done in Seattle
Key legislators announced on Monday that the Washington State Legislature will not vote on a plan for a new arena for the SuperSonics. On Tuesday, Seattle majority owner Clay Bennett announced that the team will pursue other ideas for a new arena, including relocation.
"We have committed to provide our good-faith best efforts to find a way to build a successor venue," said Bennett. "If that can't be accomplished, then we have the right to relocate."
Professional Basketball Club (PBC) LLC, an Oklahoma City investment group, purchased the team last year and left fans thinking the team was bound for relocation. Bennett, to his credit, guaranteed to keep the team in Seattle if a deal could be worked out for a new arena.
"We have committed to provide our good-faith best efforts to find a way to build a successor venue," said Bennett. "If that can't be accomplished, then we have the right to relocate."
Professional Basketball Club (PBC) LLC, an Oklahoma City investment group, purchased the team last year and left fans thinking the team was bound for relocation. Bennett, to his credit, guaranteed to keep the team in Seattle if a deal could be worked out for a new arena.
Devils Try to Even Series in Tampa
The second-seeded New Jersey Devils will try to square things against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight, when the teams meet at St. Pete Times Forum for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
The Lightning grabbed a 2-1 edge in this best-of-seven series by winning their second straight game Monday evening in Tampa. Vinny Prospal scored the game- winning goal in Game 3 and Johan Holmqvist made 30 saves as the Bolts downed the Devils, 3-2, at St. Pete Times Forum.
Vincent Lecavalier continued his hot play in the postseason with a goal and an assist and Martin St. Louis added three helpers for the seventh-seeded Lightning.
Brad Richards also added a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay.
Lecavalier, who led the NHL with 52 goals and his team with 108 points this season, has tallied four goals and an assist in the first two games of this series.
St. Louis is leading the Bolts in this series with six points (2 goals, 4 assists) and Richards has one goal and four helpers.
The Lightning are 2-0 all-time when leading a series two games to one.
John Madden and Zach Parise each lit the lamp Monday for the Devils, who have been unable to get a win since their 5-3 victory in Game 1.
Even future Hall-of-Famer Martin Brodeur has looked sub-par in the playoffs thus far, as he has given up nine goals on 70 shots. This is after Brodeur had another Vezina-caliber regular season in which he posted an NHL-record 48 wins to go with a .922 save percentage and 2.18 goals against average.
The Devils have dropped 10 of their last 12 road playoff games with the only two victories in that stretch coming in last year's opening-round sweep of the New York Rangers.
After tonight's test, the series will head back to New Jersey for Game 5 on Friday evening.
The Lightning grabbed a 2-1 edge in this best-of-seven series by winning their second straight game Monday evening in Tampa. Vinny Prospal scored the game- winning goal in Game 3 and Johan Holmqvist made 30 saves as the Bolts downed the Devils, 3-2, at St. Pete Times Forum.
Vincent Lecavalier continued his hot play in the postseason with a goal and an assist and Martin St. Louis added three helpers for the seventh-seeded Lightning.
Brad Richards also added a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay.
Lecavalier, who led the NHL with 52 goals and his team with 108 points this season, has tallied four goals and an assist in the first two games of this series.
St. Louis is leading the Bolts in this series with six points (2 goals, 4 assists) and Richards has one goal and four helpers.
The Lightning are 2-0 all-time when leading a series two games to one.
John Madden and Zach Parise each lit the lamp Monday for the Devils, who have been unable to get a win since their 5-3 victory in Game 1.
Even future Hall-of-Famer Martin Brodeur has looked sub-par in the playoffs thus far, as he has given up nine goals on 70 shots. This is after Brodeur had another Vezina-caliber regular season in which he posted an NHL-record 48 wins to go with a .922 save percentage and 2.18 goals against average.
The Devils have dropped 10 of their last 12 road playoff games with the only two victories in that stretch coming in last year's opening-round sweep of the New York Rangers.
After tonight's test, the series will head back to New Jersey for Game 5 on Friday evening.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
NHL Playoff Game Capsules
Vinny Prospal scored the game-winning goal and Johan Holmqvist made 30 saves as the Tampa Lightning downed the New Jersey Devils, 3-2, and grabbed the series lead in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at St. Pete Times Forum. Vincent Lecavalier continued his hot play in the postseason with a goal and an assist and Martin St. Louis added three helpers for the Lightning, who now hold a two-games-to-one lead in the best-of-seven series. Brad Richards also added a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay. John Madden and Zach Parise each lit the lamp for the Devils, who have dropped the past two games after a 5-3 victory in Game 1.
Final Score: Buffalo 3, NY Islanders 2
Uniondale, NY - Daniel Briere scored the eventual game- winner in the second period, and the Buffalo Sabres held on for a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Nassau Coliseum. Adam Mair and Thomas Vanek also scored for the Sabres, who now have a two games to one lead in the best-of-seven series. Ryan Miller stopped 20 of 22 shots in the victory. Ryan Smythe had a goal and one assist, and Trent Hunter also lit the lamp for the Islanders. Rick DiPietro finished the game with 32 saves.
Final Score: San Jose 3, Nashville 1
San Jose, CA - Ryane Clowe scored the eventual game-winning goal in the second period as the San Jose Sharks defeated the Nashville Predators, 3-1, in Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at HP Pavilion. Milan Michalek and Patrick Marleau also scored for the Sharks, who hold a two games to one lead in the best of seven series. Evgeni Nabokov finished with 19 saves in the victory. Ryan Suter had the lone tally for the Predators. Nashville played without right wing Alexander Radulov, who was serving a one-game suspension handed down by the NHL on Saturday for checking San Jose forward Steve Bernier from behind 4:44 into the second period of Game 2 on Friday night. Radulov has four points in the series and was tied with J.P. Dumont for the team lead in the playoffs coming into the game.Tomas Vokoun made 38 saves for the Predators. Game 4 of this set is scheduled for Wednesday evening in San Jose.
Final Score: Buffalo 3, NY Islanders 2
Uniondale, NY - Daniel Briere scored the eventual game- winner in the second period, and the Buffalo Sabres held on for a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Nassau Coliseum. Adam Mair and Thomas Vanek also scored for the Sabres, who now have a two games to one lead in the best-of-seven series. Ryan Miller stopped 20 of 22 shots in the victory. Ryan Smythe had a goal and one assist, and Trent Hunter also lit the lamp for the Islanders. Rick DiPietro finished the game with 32 saves.
Final Score: San Jose 3, Nashville 1
San Jose, CA - Ryane Clowe scored the eventual game-winning goal in the second period as the San Jose Sharks defeated the Nashville Predators, 3-1, in Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at HP Pavilion. Milan Michalek and Patrick Marleau also scored for the Sharks, who hold a two games to one lead in the best of seven series. Evgeni Nabokov finished with 19 saves in the victory. Ryan Suter had the lone tally for the Predators. Nashville played without right wing Alexander Radulov, who was serving a one-game suspension handed down by the NHL on Saturday for checking San Jose forward Steve Bernier from behind 4:44 into the second period of Game 2 on Friday night. Radulov has four points in the series and was tied with J.P. Dumont for the team lead in the playoffs coming into the game.Tomas Vokoun made 38 saves for the Predators. Game 4 of this set is scheduled for Wednesday evening in San Jose.
Vikings Sign WR Hankton
The Minnesota Vikings signed free agent wide receiver Cortez Hankton on Monday.
Hankton signed with Jacksonville as a rookie free agent prior to the 2003 season and compiled 34 receptions for 310 yards and two touchdowns in 46 career games for the Jaguars.
Hankton signed with Jacksonville as a rookie free agent prior to the 2003 season and compiled 34 receptions for 310 yards and two touchdowns in 46 career games for the Jaguars.
White to Return to Indiana for Senior Season
Indiana forward D.J. White announced Tuesday that he will return for his senior season and will not enter the NBA Draft.
White averaged 13.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 51.2 percent last season for the Hoosiers. His strong campaign earned him a second team All-Big Ten selection as well as consideration for the Naismith Award.
"I believe it is in my best interest to return for my senior season," White said. "I learned a lot from coach (Kelvin) Sampson and the rest of the coaching staff and really improved my game last year. I'm excited to take my game to another level and I look forward to a very successful season with my team."
Led by White, Indiana advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season with a record of 21-11.
"Another factor in my decision is I want to graduate," added White. "Getting my degree from Indiana University is very important to me and my family."
White is on track to graduate next year.
White averaged 13.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 51.2 percent last season for the Hoosiers. His strong campaign earned him a second team All-Big Ten selection as well as consideration for the Naismith Award.
"I believe it is in my best interest to return for my senior season," White said. "I learned a lot from coach (Kelvin) Sampson and the rest of the coaching staff and really improved my game last year. I'm excited to take my game to another level and I look forward to a very successful season with my team."
Led by White, Indiana advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season with a record of 21-11.
"Another factor in my decision is I want to graduate," added White. "Getting my degree from Indiana University is very important to me and my family."
White is on track to graduate next year.
Glaus Latest Blue Jay Place on DL
The Toronto Blue Jays placed third baseman Troy Glaus on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a hamstring injury.
Glaus last appeared for the Blue Jays on Thursday. He is hitting .333 with two homers and five RBI in eight games. The slugger has also been bothered by bone spurs in his left ankle this season.
Glaus joins closer B.J. Ryan and outfielder Reed Johnson on the DL. Ryan was placed on the DL Sunday with left elbow pain. Johnson had surgery on Monday to repair a herniated disc in his back. Ryan is expected to miss the next 6-to-8 weeks, while Johnson will be out until at least July.
Glaus last appeared for the Blue Jays on Thursday. He is hitting .333 with two homers and five RBI in eight games. The slugger has also been bothered by bone spurs in his left ankle this season.
Glaus joins closer B.J. Ryan and outfielder Reed Johnson on the DL. Ryan was placed on the DL Sunday with left elbow pain. Johnson had surgery on Monday to repair a herniated disc in his back. Ryan is expected to miss the next 6-to-8 weeks, while Johnson will be out until at least July.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Money on the Diamond
Wagering on baseball is a game of percentages which is why so many handicappers don't pay attention to trivial stats, trends, weather, injuries, as much as they focus on the matchup on the diamond that day. For instance all teams carry a few left specialist to counter the opposing teams left handed batters. Some left-handed relieving specialists can have a job late in their careers as long as they can get lefty hitters out. Check out any baseball pitching roster and youll notice one or two lefty specialists some guys who you long thought were retired or over the hill. But if they can still get lefties out they are a valuable commodity in the major leagues.
Its also important to examine lefty/righty lineups because some ball parks favor certain hitters. Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium for example are great for lefty batters. Yankee Stadium has a short porch in right field making it an easy home park for lefty sluggers. Fenway has the wall in left field and for decades lefty hitters have learned to go to the opposite field and kiss baseballs off the wall for an easy double what would have been an easy out in every other park. Lets take a peak at some early season teams and how theyve fared against lefty starting pitchers.
Astros: 3-10 against lefty starters including 0-8 on the road. Its easy to see why the Astros struggle on the road as they havent beaten lefties or righties on the road. Houston actually has mostly right-handed hitters too so its not something where they have to sit down certain strong hitters against southpaws. The bottom line: This is simply a bad offensive team that should continue to struggle against righties and lefties.
Yankees: 6-6 versus lefties. This is surprising as this is a deep right-handed hitting lineup. Last year New York was 36-12 against lefties! That 6-6 start may change so keep a close tab on the Yankees against lefties.
Indians: Cleveland was lousy against lefties in 2004 24-34 and theyre struggling again at 3-8 1-5 on the road. With the whole team struggling to hit it doesnt help that two of their best hitters Travis Hafner lefty and Coco Crisp switchhitter are both significantly worse against lefty pitchers. The Indians likely will continue to struggle against southpaws.
Royals: 5-10 against lefties. Same as the Astros: This is simply a bad team.
Padres: 6-1 at home against lefties 1-5 on the road! San Diego is a team a manager would want to throw a lefty against with lefty sluggers Sean Burroughs Brian Giles and Ryan Klesko. Note that the young Burroughs is hitting .283 with 10 walks against righties but .259 with one walk against lefties. It is a bit difficult to explain at this point why they are so good at home against lefties but as the season goes along the Padres are a team that should excel against righties and may struggle against southpaws especially on the road.
These type of scenarios can be found and analyzed in almost all MLB matchups and is the primary focus of my handicapping efforts. Remember to focus on the mound the diamond this year and leave most of the trivial stats out of your equation and you will hopefully have a successful season.
Its also important to examine lefty/righty lineups because some ball parks favor certain hitters. Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium for example are great for lefty batters. Yankee Stadium has a short porch in right field making it an easy home park for lefty sluggers. Fenway has the wall in left field and for decades lefty hitters have learned to go to the opposite field and kiss baseballs off the wall for an easy double what would have been an easy out in every other park. Lets take a peak at some early season teams and how theyve fared against lefty starting pitchers.
Astros: 3-10 against lefty starters including 0-8 on the road. Its easy to see why the Astros struggle on the road as they havent beaten lefties or righties on the road. Houston actually has mostly right-handed hitters too so its not something where they have to sit down certain strong hitters against southpaws. The bottom line: This is simply a bad offensive team that should continue to struggle against righties and lefties.
Yankees: 6-6 versus lefties. This is surprising as this is a deep right-handed hitting lineup. Last year New York was 36-12 against lefties! That 6-6 start may change so keep a close tab on the Yankees against lefties.
Indians: Cleveland was lousy against lefties in 2004 24-34 and theyre struggling again at 3-8 1-5 on the road. With the whole team struggling to hit it doesnt help that two of their best hitters Travis Hafner lefty and Coco Crisp switchhitter are both significantly worse against lefty pitchers. The Indians likely will continue to struggle against southpaws.
Royals: 5-10 against lefties. Same as the Astros: This is simply a bad team.
Padres: 6-1 at home against lefties 1-5 on the road! San Diego is a team a manager would want to throw a lefty against with lefty sluggers Sean Burroughs Brian Giles and Ryan Klesko. Note that the young Burroughs is hitting .283 with 10 walks against righties but .259 with one walk against lefties. It is a bit difficult to explain at this point why they are so good at home against lefties but as the season goes along the Padres are a team that should excel against righties and may struggle against southpaws especially on the road.
These type of scenarios can be found and analyzed in almost all MLB matchups and is the primary focus of my handicapping efforts. Remember to focus on the mound the diamond this year and leave most of the trivial stats out of your equation and you will hopefully have a successful season.
The Value of Multiple Sportsbooks
YOU NEED MORE THAN ONE SPORTSBOOK!
To make money betting on sports, you must do three things: first, find your game; two, look around and get the best value for that game; three, make sure you follow a solid money management system. Most people think of the first and the third. But not enough people “shop” for the best value for their money.
Here are six reasons why you MUST have more than one sportsbook account:
Value – You need to shop multiple books to find the line you need, and the only way you can do that is to have accounts open with various sportsbooks. Having more than one 'out' helps to improve the chances of finding variances in a particular line.
For example if you know that you are looking to bet on the Red Sox and you can get them 5 or 10 cents cheaper with one book over the other, then you take the line that provides you with greater value. It might just be half a point on a game, but getting the line you want in terms of both the spread and the odds will make you more money over time. No question.
Also, any sportsbooks that allow the buying or even selling of points, or give you better odds on parlays and teasers also should be considered in the sports bettor's stable.
Diversification – Just as in the investment world, you need to diversify and not put all your eggs in one basket. In the past few years, various sportsbooks have gone under, and taken many a gamblers’ money with them. Some of these ‘books you could have predicted, but other such as Aces Gold caught most off guard. Always choose your sportsbooks wisely. But if you have $10,000 in play, it’s better to have $2,000 with five books than all your money with one, just in case that one goes under. It’s better to lose just $2k than $10k.
Bonuses – Every sportsbook offers various types of bonuses, depending on the type of gambler they are looking to attract. All sportsbooks offer the same signup bonuses, with the focus on the initial deposit varying from 10% - 20%. But it’s the ongoing “retention” bonuses that differentiate one sportsbook from another. Some offer little or no “re-up” deposit bonuses, but offer a Cash Back from losses bonus. Others have great deposit bonuses during key times throughout the year. You need to find out what is important to you, and then match that need with the sportsbook that will fulfill it.
Product Variety - Some books specialize in providing a type of bet on various sports or sporting events, depending on the strength of the software and the expertise of that sportsbook’s bookmaker. Again, you need to shop around and find out what sportsbooks offer what type of bets on what sports, and the type of lines they run (especially for hockey and baseball).
Phone vs Internet - Some sportsbooks are better at running its business over the phone, while others that have very good software, and loads of servers do a better job taking bets via the Internet. However, the Internet focused books usually have lower limits in place than those taking bets by phone. Again, you need to find out whether or not the limits in place by a specific sportsbook fits your money management system.
Cut Down on Account Limits or Closures – You can do this by setting up accounts with multiple sportsbooks. When you want to play a bet of $5,000 for example, you might want to play $1,000 at five different books. This helps to keep a low profile for yourself, as all sportsbooks have key indicators that throw up red flags for weeding out “wise guys” or “sharpies.” When that happens, you get the “VIP” treatment by having your limits reduced, access to certain sports limited, or simply having your account closed. But by winning at multiple books, you can more easily stay under the radar.
So the message is clear: you must have at least three to four sportsbook accounts to help ensure making money over the long haul, and lessening your risk overall.
To make money betting on sports, you must do three things: first, find your game; two, look around and get the best value for that game; three, make sure you follow a solid money management system. Most people think of the first and the third. But not enough people “shop” for the best value for their money.
Here are six reasons why you MUST have more than one sportsbook account:
Value – You need to shop multiple books to find the line you need, and the only way you can do that is to have accounts open with various sportsbooks. Having more than one 'out' helps to improve the chances of finding variances in a particular line.
For example if you know that you are looking to bet on the Red Sox and you can get them 5 or 10 cents cheaper with one book over the other, then you take the line that provides you with greater value. It might just be half a point on a game, but getting the line you want in terms of both the spread and the odds will make you more money over time. No question.
Also, any sportsbooks that allow the buying or even selling of points, or give you better odds on parlays and teasers also should be considered in the sports bettor's stable.
Diversification – Just as in the investment world, you need to diversify and not put all your eggs in one basket. In the past few years, various sportsbooks have gone under, and taken many a gamblers’ money with them. Some of these ‘books you could have predicted, but other such as Aces Gold caught most off guard. Always choose your sportsbooks wisely. But if you have $10,000 in play, it’s better to have $2,000 with five books than all your money with one, just in case that one goes under. It’s better to lose just $2k than $10k.
Bonuses – Every sportsbook offers various types of bonuses, depending on the type of gambler they are looking to attract. All sportsbooks offer the same signup bonuses, with the focus on the initial deposit varying from 10% - 20%. But it’s the ongoing “retention” bonuses that differentiate one sportsbook from another. Some offer little or no “re-up” deposit bonuses, but offer a Cash Back from losses bonus. Others have great deposit bonuses during key times throughout the year. You need to find out what is important to you, and then match that need with the sportsbook that will fulfill it.
Product Variety - Some books specialize in providing a type of bet on various sports or sporting events, depending on the strength of the software and the expertise of that sportsbook’s bookmaker. Again, you need to shop around and find out what sportsbooks offer what type of bets on what sports, and the type of lines they run (especially for hockey and baseball).
Phone vs Internet - Some sportsbooks are better at running its business over the phone, while others that have very good software, and loads of servers do a better job taking bets via the Internet. However, the Internet focused books usually have lower limits in place than those taking bets by phone. Again, you need to find out whether or not the limits in place by a specific sportsbook fits your money management system.
Cut Down on Account Limits or Closures – You can do this by setting up accounts with multiple sportsbooks. When you want to play a bet of $5,000 for example, you might want to play $1,000 at five different books. This helps to keep a low profile for yourself, as all sportsbooks have key indicators that throw up red flags for weeding out “wise guys” or “sharpies.” When that happens, you get the “VIP” treatment by having your limits reduced, access to certain sports limited, or simply having your account closed. But by winning at multiple books, you can more easily stay under the radar.
So the message is clear: you must have at least three to four sportsbook accounts to help ensure making money over the long haul, and lessening your risk overall.
To Tease or Not to Tease?
Ok, we all know that one guy that loves to play the teasers and for some reason we feel a little left out. We grew up in this business learning not to touch parlays or teasers and that anybody doing so was the tell tell sign of being a novice gambler. One of the generally held misconceptions is that they are sucker bets to be avoided at all costs. I've been actively involved in sports gambling for over a decade and it’s true that I've seen players make hundreds of thousands of dollars in teaser plays when they don't know what they’re buying. Part of the problem is the gaming industry's fault - there is no good reporting on the "do's and don'ts" for teasers – so with that in mind, I thought I'd share my experience of teasers.
An NFL teaser is commonly a two team parlay where your chosen team gets six extra points added in your favor to its spread. So if Dallas was +2 and Pittsburgh was -7.5, your teaser wager would be a parlay on Dallas +8 and Pittsburgh -1.5. If you are betting at -110 (betting $110 to win $100), you need to win at least 52.4% of your teasers to break even. This is the same win percentage needed for to break even on normal sides bets when you lay -110 at a traditional sports book.
Since both of your selections need to win so that you can cash your ticket, each individual teaser team needs to cover 72.5% for you to break even (72.5% X 72.5% = 52.6%). So in exchange for those six extra points in your favor, when you buy a teaser you are raising your breakeven point from 52.4% to 72.5% on that one team. If you don't win that individual leg at least 20% more with those six points, don't bother teasing - you are buying something you don't need.
A common mistake I see with teasers is teasing a total. There is no total in the NFL or College that when teased six points, raises your win rate 20%. In general, teasing any total is a bad play. Fortunately one of the best ways to play a teaser is to play a spread that when teased, moves through the key numbers of 3 and 7. Teasing Dallas from +2 to +8 or Pittsburgh from -7.5 to -1.5 are two examples.
Another tool you can use in conjunction with teasers is Pinnacle Sports’ "NFL Alternate High" and "NFL Alternate Low" lines. Due to our reduced juice pricing, these potentially allow you to guarantee a profit and hedge out of your position if you win the first leg of your teaser but have perhaps had a change of heart.
For instance, if you bet $100 on Dallas +8/Pittsburgh -1.5 and Dallas had already won, you could possibly bet $50 on Pittsburgh's opponent at +1.5+250. With these lines unique to Pinnacle Sports, you can lock in a +profitafter the first leg of a teaser is played. You might even find situations where you can guarantee a profit no matter what the result - even before the first game kicks off - with a little line shopping.
Although there is a lot more to study when it comes to teasers, I hope that armed with these basics you can find a smarter way to bet courtesy of Pinnacle Sports on all of this week’s action including the games below where we have seen some interesting early line movement.
USC (-11.5) at Notre Dame
This game looks to be an offensive shootout with a total of 69.5, the highest on the board. USC goes into this game averaging 51.6 points per game while Notre Dame has averaged 37 points per game. Despite the Trojans prolific offense, it has had difficulties the last three weeks being down in the second half against Oregon and Arizona St. and had only a 7-pt lead over Arizona at one point in the 4th quarter last week. The Fighting Irish are coming off a bye-week following routs of Purdue (49-28) and Washington (36-17).
We opened the game at -11 and saw early favorite money that pushed the line out to -13.5. A day later, we started getting sharp money on Notre Dame as the line dropped back to -12. There is opposition at ND +12 +101 / USC -11.5 -105, which is something we love to see on what will be our largest grossing college game of the week.
Florida (+6) at LSU
While Florida and LSU have a combined record of 8-2, each team has faced extraordinary challenges this season. Gators’ QB Chris Leak injured his shoulder several weeks ago en route to a 31-3 loss and has continued to struggle ever since. Four Florida receivers are also suffering from injuries –Caldwell and Cornelius didn't play last week and Jackson and Baker missed game time. Meanwhile, LSU has had its own problems. In four games, it has turned the ball over 11 times and been penalized 88.5 yards per game (versus opponents' 53.5 yards per game). Like Florida, its offense has been repeatedly bailed out by its defense.
We opened the game at +6.5 and immediately took limit bets on LSU from sharp money. We later received more action the other way as the number stabilized at +6. Despite writing an above average volume on this game, we had written four times as much on the USC-ND game at the time of writing.
Minnesota (+3) at Chicago
The Vikings have averaged over 50 yards of offense per game more than Chicago but have had a problem with self-destructing. In four games, they've thrown ten interceptions, lost five fumbles and managed a -8 turnover differential. The team that wins a turnover battle in a game wins outright 77% of the time, so it should come as no surprise that Minnesota is 1-3.
We initially opened this at +1.5. The early money was on the Bears, driving the price to +3 -111. At this point, there was opposition between two syndicates with orders going out on the Vikings +3 and an unnamed group that's already beaten us out of $1.5m this year taking Chicago. This will probably be our highest volume NFL game thanks to this dueling syndicate action.
St. Louis (+13.5) at Indianapolis
Some players handicap using trend analysis. A big favorite before 2003 was "Home dogs receiving more than seven points". This group was systematically overpriced and playing the dog covered at roughly a 60% clip. However, with the advent of the Internet and increasingly sophisticated players, the offshore books have tightened the lines.
For "big dog" system followers, Indianapolis has been a player's worst nightmare. During the past year and through the first five weeks of 2005, Indianapolis is 7-4 against the spread if favored by more than seven points. If you find a trend you like, be careful about betting it blindly.
We opened the game at -13 and were quickly driven to -13.5 by syndicate play. This is our highest grossing game in the first 48 hours since posting lines; mostly on Indianapolis. This is still early though and syndicates sometimes bet the wrong side early in the week - especially near key numbers. They do this as the market size is smaller earlier in the week and if they can drive the price to +14 or thereabouts for a minimal investment. They can then take back St. Louis later when the market can absorb $1m at a number. In such situations, syndicates would consider the initial outlay a "free play" due to the equity in the middle.
An NFL teaser is commonly a two team parlay where your chosen team gets six extra points added in your favor to its spread. So if Dallas was +2 and Pittsburgh was -7.5, your teaser wager would be a parlay on Dallas +8 and Pittsburgh -1.5. If you are betting at -110 (betting $110 to win $100), you need to win at least 52.4% of your teasers to break even. This is the same win percentage needed for to break even on normal sides bets when you lay -110 at a traditional sports book.
Since both of your selections need to win so that you can cash your ticket, each individual teaser team needs to cover 72.5% for you to break even (72.5% X 72.5% = 52.6%). So in exchange for those six extra points in your favor, when you buy a teaser you are raising your breakeven point from 52.4% to 72.5% on that one team. If you don't win that individual leg at least 20% more with those six points, don't bother teasing - you are buying something you don't need.
A common mistake I see with teasers is teasing a total. There is no total in the NFL or College that when teased six points, raises your win rate 20%. In general, teasing any total is a bad play. Fortunately one of the best ways to play a teaser is to play a spread that when teased, moves through the key numbers of 3 and 7. Teasing Dallas from +2 to +8 or Pittsburgh from -7.5 to -1.5 are two examples.
Another tool you can use in conjunction with teasers is Pinnacle Sports’ "NFL Alternate High" and "NFL Alternate Low" lines. Due to our reduced juice pricing, these potentially allow you to guarantee a profit and hedge out of your position if you win the first leg of your teaser but have perhaps had a change of heart.
For instance, if you bet $100 on Dallas +8/Pittsburgh -1.5 and Dallas had already won, you could possibly bet $50 on Pittsburgh's opponent at +1.5+250. With these lines unique to Pinnacle Sports, you can lock in a +profitafter the first leg of a teaser is played. You might even find situations where you can guarantee a profit no matter what the result - even before the first game kicks off - with a little line shopping.
Although there is a lot more to study when it comes to teasers, I hope that armed with these basics you can find a smarter way to bet courtesy of Pinnacle Sports on all of this week’s action including the games below where we have seen some interesting early line movement.
USC (-11.5) at Notre Dame
This game looks to be an offensive shootout with a total of 69.5, the highest on the board. USC goes into this game averaging 51.6 points per game while Notre Dame has averaged 37 points per game. Despite the Trojans prolific offense, it has had difficulties the last three weeks being down in the second half against Oregon and Arizona St. and had only a 7-pt lead over Arizona at one point in the 4th quarter last week. The Fighting Irish are coming off a bye-week following routs of Purdue (49-28) and Washington (36-17).
We opened the game at -11 and saw early favorite money that pushed the line out to -13.5. A day later, we started getting sharp money on Notre Dame as the line dropped back to -12. There is opposition at ND +12 +101 / USC -11.5 -105, which is something we love to see on what will be our largest grossing college game of the week.
Florida (+6) at LSU
While Florida and LSU have a combined record of 8-2, each team has faced extraordinary challenges this season. Gators’ QB Chris Leak injured his shoulder several weeks ago en route to a 31-3 loss and has continued to struggle ever since. Four Florida receivers are also suffering from injuries –Caldwell and Cornelius didn't play last week and Jackson and Baker missed game time. Meanwhile, LSU has had its own problems. In four games, it has turned the ball over 11 times and been penalized 88.5 yards per game (versus opponents' 53.5 yards per game). Like Florida, its offense has been repeatedly bailed out by its defense.
We opened the game at +6.5 and immediately took limit bets on LSU from sharp money. We later received more action the other way as the number stabilized at +6. Despite writing an above average volume on this game, we had written four times as much on the USC-ND game at the time of writing.
Minnesota (+3) at Chicago
The Vikings have averaged over 50 yards of offense per game more than Chicago but have had a problem with self-destructing. In four games, they've thrown ten interceptions, lost five fumbles and managed a -8 turnover differential. The team that wins a turnover battle in a game wins outright 77% of the time, so it should come as no surprise that Minnesota is 1-3.
We initially opened this at +1.5. The early money was on the Bears, driving the price to +3 -111. At this point, there was opposition between two syndicates with orders going out on the Vikings +3 and an unnamed group that's already beaten us out of $1.5m this year taking Chicago. This will probably be our highest volume NFL game thanks to this dueling syndicate action.
St. Louis (+13.5) at Indianapolis
Some players handicap using trend analysis. A big favorite before 2003 was "Home dogs receiving more than seven points". This group was systematically overpriced and playing the dog covered at roughly a 60% clip. However, with the advent of the Internet and increasingly sophisticated players, the offshore books have tightened the lines.
For "big dog" system followers, Indianapolis has been a player's worst nightmare. During the past year and through the first five weeks of 2005, Indianapolis is 7-4 against the spread if favored by more than seven points. If you find a trend you like, be careful about betting it blindly.
We opened the game at -13 and were quickly driven to -13.5 by syndicate play. This is our highest grossing game in the first 48 hours since posting lines; mostly on Indianapolis. This is still early though and syndicates sometimes bet the wrong side early in the week - especially near key numbers. They do this as the market size is smaller earlier in the week and if they can drive the price to +14 or thereabouts for a minimal investment. They can then take back St. Louis later when the market can absorb $1m at a number. In such situations, syndicates would consider the initial outlay a "free play" due to the equity in the middle.
Betting on Weather
Large amounts of money are lost each season by sports bettors who do not fully understand how to account for weather in their sports handicapping. Extreme weather presents the player with two types of profitable opportunities:
1) To play ON a condition that will have MORE effect than the public realizes;
2) To play OPPOSITE a condition that will have LESS effect than the public realizes.
Whenever we judge any effect on a game we must determine to what degree the effect has already been accounted for in the point spread. An obvious example would be if a team’s starting quarterback is out due to injury. Such a fact would most certainly be built into the point spread, so blindly betting against a team playing a backup QB offers no edge. This same obviousness would apply to playing the under on a football game when a bad weather is expected. In these cases, as always, a sports handicapper must compare his assessment of the effect with the way it is accounted for in the point spread. Only when there is a discrepancy in assessment can there be a true edge.
The most over-considered weather condition is snow. Being easy to see on TV and easy to understand (we’ve all walked on slippery sidewalks) makes snow hard to ignore. Such conditions are typically associated with lower scoring. But in reality snow has little effect on game-play a vast majority of the time. Constantly improving grass/turf fields, footballs made of advanced synthetics, and the perpetual rotation & sideline maintenance (keeping them dry and warm) of those same balls has significantly diminished in recent years the effect of snow on game-play.
In fact, often the effect that does exist is to the advantage of the offense! Why? Because on a slightly slick field the offense knows where it is running to while the defense is force to react abruptly. If a receiver slips the offense may lose one play; if a defender slips the offense can easily score a touchdown. Since defenses want to attack rather than react on a slick field they become more aggressive, causing (and, in turn, giving up) more big plays. Snow presents the sports handicapper with game conditions the public believes will lead to low scoring when in reality the opposite is true.
Extreme snow, though, is another matter to consider. A few games per year are affected by snow to such an extent that normal game-play is impossible. The simple act of dropping back to pass is too dangerous to attempt. Kicking a 30 yard field goal is an iffy proposition. In these rare cases the under is often the play simply because the point spread cannot be adjusted downward enough (Imagine a total of 17.5 on a NFL game). Also keep in mind in any low scoring game a big underdog gains value.
The most under-considered weather condition is wind. You can’t see it on TV, but it can affect game-play in extreme ways. Today’s 21st century passing games are based upon timing, and when the wind is blowing hard timing can’t help but be thrown off. The following is a little known fact: wind that blows ACROSS THE FIELD affects play much more than wind that blows from end zone to end zone. This is because on passes and especially field goals wind is harder to compensate for when blowing side-to-side. (And even lesser known fact is that over 90% of football fields are set up with the end zones directed north to south; so, though it would be best to learn about each field individually, you will be correct most the time if you assume north/south wind will be blowing from end zone to end zone while east/west will be cross-field). Note that windy conditions affect all teams, but even more so teams that rely on the passing game. Wind, then, presents the sports handicapper with conditions that will tend toward low scoring, tend toward the underdog, and tend against passing teams while most likely not being properly accounted for in the point spread.
Extreme temperatures must also be considered. Cold weather football teams playing in high heat occurs most often early in the season; the effect is typically one of fatigue. A wise (and creative) play for the sports handicapper would be to consider playing against the cold weather football team in the second half.
Warm weather football teams playing in the cold seem to have even more trouble. Ultimately it comes down to what a football team’s players are used to. The effect of cold weather on warm weather football teams is well documented; one only needs consider the stats on the Packers at home or Tampa Bay in the cold. These well-known situations rarely offer value. The sports handicapper MUST ALWAYS assess the effect while considering how the line is accounting for it.
The most valuable information (and the type many players dream about) is knowing something most people don’t. Finding out before the lines maker that there will be 3 feet of snow in Buffalo next Sunday would make winning easy. Realistically, though, in today’s Internet age such a scoop in nearly impossible to come by. What is not impossible, and what can be equally as profitable, is the ability to find weather situations the point spread has overcompensated for to play against while finding others the point spread has under compensated for to play on.
1) To play ON a condition that will have MORE effect than the public realizes;
2) To play OPPOSITE a condition that will have LESS effect than the public realizes.
Whenever we judge any effect on a game we must determine to what degree the effect has already been accounted for in the point spread. An obvious example would be if a team’s starting quarterback is out due to injury. Such a fact would most certainly be built into the point spread, so blindly betting against a team playing a backup QB offers no edge. This same obviousness would apply to playing the under on a football game when a bad weather is expected. In these cases, as always, a sports handicapper must compare his assessment of the effect with the way it is accounted for in the point spread. Only when there is a discrepancy in assessment can there be a true edge.
The most over-considered weather condition is snow. Being easy to see on TV and easy to understand (we’ve all walked on slippery sidewalks) makes snow hard to ignore. Such conditions are typically associated with lower scoring. But in reality snow has little effect on game-play a vast majority of the time. Constantly improving grass/turf fields, footballs made of advanced synthetics, and the perpetual rotation & sideline maintenance (keeping them dry and warm) of those same balls has significantly diminished in recent years the effect of snow on game-play.
In fact, often the effect that does exist is to the advantage of the offense! Why? Because on a slightly slick field the offense knows where it is running to while the defense is force to react abruptly. If a receiver slips the offense may lose one play; if a defender slips the offense can easily score a touchdown. Since defenses want to attack rather than react on a slick field they become more aggressive, causing (and, in turn, giving up) more big plays. Snow presents the sports handicapper with game conditions the public believes will lead to low scoring when in reality the opposite is true.
Extreme snow, though, is another matter to consider. A few games per year are affected by snow to such an extent that normal game-play is impossible. The simple act of dropping back to pass is too dangerous to attempt. Kicking a 30 yard field goal is an iffy proposition. In these rare cases the under is often the play simply because the point spread cannot be adjusted downward enough (Imagine a total of 17.5 on a NFL game). Also keep in mind in any low scoring game a big underdog gains value.
The most under-considered weather condition is wind. You can’t see it on TV, but it can affect game-play in extreme ways. Today’s 21st century passing games are based upon timing, and when the wind is blowing hard timing can’t help but be thrown off. The following is a little known fact: wind that blows ACROSS THE FIELD affects play much more than wind that blows from end zone to end zone. This is because on passes and especially field goals wind is harder to compensate for when blowing side-to-side. (And even lesser known fact is that over 90% of football fields are set up with the end zones directed north to south; so, though it would be best to learn about each field individually, you will be correct most the time if you assume north/south wind will be blowing from end zone to end zone while east/west will be cross-field). Note that windy conditions affect all teams, but even more so teams that rely on the passing game. Wind, then, presents the sports handicapper with conditions that will tend toward low scoring, tend toward the underdog, and tend against passing teams while most likely not being properly accounted for in the point spread.
Extreme temperatures must also be considered. Cold weather football teams playing in high heat occurs most often early in the season; the effect is typically one of fatigue. A wise (and creative) play for the sports handicapper would be to consider playing against the cold weather football team in the second half.
Warm weather football teams playing in the cold seem to have even more trouble. Ultimately it comes down to what a football team’s players are used to. The effect of cold weather on warm weather football teams is well documented; one only needs consider the stats on the Packers at home or Tampa Bay in the cold. These well-known situations rarely offer value. The sports handicapper MUST ALWAYS assess the effect while considering how the line is accounting for it.
The most valuable information (and the type many players dream about) is knowing something most people don’t. Finding out before the lines maker that there will be 3 feet of snow in Buffalo next Sunday would make winning easy. Realistically, though, in today’s Internet age such a scoop in nearly impossible to come by. What is not impossible, and what can be equally as profitable, is the ability to find weather situations the point spread has overcompensated for to play against while finding others the point spread has under compensated for to play on.
Bases Best Bet
To this day it amazes me just how many sports bettors pass on baseball for football and basketball to place their wagering dollars on. I say shame on you for doing so, but I’ll take the money anyway, the rest of you wait till football rolls around again! There is no doubt in my mind that over the years I have made 5 fold the money betting baseball than any other sport, and that is 14 years of experience talking, and from a guy who went a documented 67% in College Football, and 69% in the NFL in 2003. Let’s break this down and see if we can’t get some guys on the bandwagon to make some easy money, because in no uncertain terms, baseball is the easiest sport of all to win money at. Ask any bookmaker in Las Vegas or the guys at Bo Dog Sportsbook or any other offshore operation, they hate baseball! Sharp players beat them up every single year in bases, yet the public continues to shy away from this moneymaking sport with numerous options to enhance a bankroll.
Most novice bettors are totally confused by the money lines, because you are not “laying points”. Folks if a team is laying –140, that means you are wagering $140 to win $100. Money management 101 for those living under a rock. Then comes the dime line or the 20-cent line, what does that mean? Simply put, when you lay $110 to win $100 in football or basketball, a dime line is the same 11 to 10 odds, but a 20-cent line is 12 to 10 odds, or you are laying $120 to win a $100. For the most part over and under’s in baseball are the same as 11 to 10 odds as in football or basketball with a book that posts a dime line, otherwise some books even with a 20-cent line may in fact post dime lines on totals plays. It takes one trip to a website that reviews sportsbooks to find out what books offer what lines. If you are serious about winning, it is imperative you research the books and their lines. Some offshore sportsbooks offer 10 cent lines (dime lines) up to a certain number, say –150, then they go to a 15 cent or 20 cent line from there. I have seen the competition heat up in the marketing by offshore books, and some of them now are offering an 8-cent line! A little homework can make you allot of extra cash, instead of leaving it on the table! I laid over -150 seventeen times last year and never once did I lay more than -170. Stretching yourself on "sure bets" of -220 or higher, and then lose that game, cuts into a bankroll big time, so honing in on games of value and knowing how to play the moneyline is absolutley crucial! Remember in baseball and money line bets, less is more at the end of the day.
The reason numerous sportsbooks post a 20-cent line is they KNOW that sharp players will take them for their money in baseball, and it minimizes the profits of those players, and maximizes the losses for the books when they come in. Usually you will find almost all books will make you pay a 20-cent line on a play of over –200, since there is a high chance that team can win, but that’s why it is called gambling. Once again proving that baseball is easy to win at if you know what to look for. In baseball, the team ONLY has to win to cash tickets. It comes down to some real simple items to look at to get started, mainly pitching and hitting, that is the bottom line in the simplest of terms. I also look at slugging percentage and on base percentage and then a few intangibles. But wait a minute the novice says, I will not lay –320 with Randy Johnson, and –280 with Pedro Martinez, what if they lose? Granted it is possible, even playing a weak sister, that one of these studs may have an off day, but the beauty is you can lower the odds in baseball. Let’s say you have 2 teams, with 2 strong pitchers both laying –200 or more against a team they should clearly mop the floor with, but you don’t want to expose yourself to a heavy chalk line. I suggest a 2-team parley, for half of your normal wager. The payout with those odds is bet $100 to win $125 for a two teamer. Worth a shot isn’t it? Remember also you can lay it on a run line too, it lowers the odds, but Team A has to beat Team B by 1.5 runs, or basically win by 2 runs in order to cash a ticket at much lower odds, once again providing you an option to make money in baseball on a side play.
It is not so much wins and losses in baseball from a win percentage that counts, but it is units won based on a money line. There is money to be made baseball without question, and if you manage your money and use discipline and have a good sports service, you can build quite a bankroll over the summer and then have plenty of cash to get ready for football in the fall. Pick the best bet on the board everyday, and bet it. Less is more, and in baseball it can be much more.
Most novice bettors are totally confused by the money lines, because you are not “laying points”. Folks if a team is laying –140, that means you are wagering $140 to win $100. Money management 101 for those living under a rock. Then comes the dime line or the 20-cent line, what does that mean? Simply put, when you lay $110 to win $100 in football or basketball, a dime line is the same 11 to 10 odds, but a 20-cent line is 12 to 10 odds, or you are laying $120 to win a $100. For the most part over and under’s in baseball are the same as 11 to 10 odds as in football or basketball with a book that posts a dime line, otherwise some books even with a 20-cent line may in fact post dime lines on totals plays. It takes one trip to a website that reviews sportsbooks to find out what books offer what lines. If you are serious about winning, it is imperative you research the books and their lines. Some offshore sportsbooks offer 10 cent lines (dime lines) up to a certain number, say –150, then they go to a 15 cent or 20 cent line from there. I have seen the competition heat up in the marketing by offshore books, and some of them now are offering an 8-cent line! A little homework can make you allot of extra cash, instead of leaving it on the table! I laid over -150 seventeen times last year and never once did I lay more than -170. Stretching yourself on "sure bets" of -220 or higher, and then lose that game, cuts into a bankroll big time, so honing in on games of value and knowing how to play the moneyline is absolutley crucial! Remember in baseball and money line bets, less is more at the end of the day.
The reason numerous sportsbooks post a 20-cent line is they KNOW that sharp players will take them for their money in baseball, and it minimizes the profits of those players, and maximizes the losses for the books when they come in. Usually you will find almost all books will make you pay a 20-cent line on a play of over –200, since there is a high chance that team can win, but that’s why it is called gambling. Once again proving that baseball is easy to win at if you know what to look for. In baseball, the team ONLY has to win to cash tickets. It comes down to some real simple items to look at to get started, mainly pitching and hitting, that is the bottom line in the simplest of terms. I also look at slugging percentage and on base percentage and then a few intangibles. But wait a minute the novice says, I will not lay –320 with Randy Johnson, and –280 with Pedro Martinez, what if they lose? Granted it is possible, even playing a weak sister, that one of these studs may have an off day, but the beauty is you can lower the odds in baseball. Let’s say you have 2 teams, with 2 strong pitchers both laying –200 or more against a team they should clearly mop the floor with, but you don’t want to expose yourself to a heavy chalk line. I suggest a 2-team parley, for half of your normal wager. The payout with those odds is bet $100 to win $125 for a two teamer. Worth a shot isn’t it? Remember also you can lay it on a run line too, it lowers the odds, but Team A has to beat Team B by 1.5 runs, or basically win by 2 runs in order to cash a ticket at much lower odds, once again providing you an option to make money in baseball on a side play.
It is not so much wins and losses in baseball from a win percentage that counts, but it is units won based on a money line. There is money to be made baseball without question, and if you manage your money and use discipline and have a good sports service, you can build quite a bankroll over the summer and then have plenty of cash to get ready for football in the fall. Pick the best bet on the board everyday, and bet it. Less is more, and in baseball it can be much more.
Rockies Place Matsui on DL
Colorado infielder Kaz Matsui was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday due to back spasms. Matsui started at second base Saturday night and went 2-for-3 before leaving the contest in the fifth inning due to the back problem. Acquired in a trade from the Mets last June, Matsui was off to a big start offensively with a .361 average in nine games this year. The Rockies replaced Matsui's roster spot by calling up infielder Clint Barmes from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Clint Barmes batted .220 last year with 56 RBI's and 7 HR. Barmes is not known to swing a heavy stick but is merely relied on for his speed on the base paths and solid fielding.
Clint Barmes batted .220 last year with 56 RBI's and 7 HR. Barmes is not known to swing a heavy stick but is merely relied on for his speed on the base paths and solid fielding.
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