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05/07/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For the Detroit Tigers, Thursday's off day could not have come at a better time.
For starters, the team had just wrapped up a stretch of 20 straight games -- through five cities -- with no rest. That journey came to a halt Wednesday at Minnesota's new Target Field, where the Twins put the final touches on a three-game sweep of the Tigers.
On Tuesday, catcher Gerald Laird drilled a foul ball off his shin. Laird was already scheduled to be rested for Wednesday's afternoon game, and with an extra day to heal up, he is expected to be back in the lineup on Friday when Detroit (16-13) begins a weekend series with Cleveland.
Also on the injury front, outfielder Johnny Damon left in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game with a right calf spasm. Thanks to Thursday's break in the action, he is also expected to be available for Friday's series opener.
While Thursday's idle date afforded some much needed rest for the players, it also allowed the city of Detroit to mourn the passing of Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell, who died Tuesday after an eight-month battle with bile duct cancer. Harwell, who spent 42 of his 92 years on this Earth as the Tigers' broadcaster, was posthumously awarded the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award in sports broadcasting Wednesday night. On Thursday, Tigers fans packed Comerica Park to bid farewell to their beloved broadcaster.
It was Harwell's genuine enthusiasm for the game and deep-rooted connection with Tigers fans that endeared himself to the city of Detroit. Though he stopped broadcasting about eight years ago, his bubbly personality remained a fixture at Comerica Park and throughout the Motor City, and he would embrace his impending death with tremendous grace and strength, even planning the details of his own public viewing with team officials.
"I've got a great attitude. I just look forward to a new adventure," Harwell told the Detroit Free Press when he disclosed his illness. "God gives us so many adventures, and I've had some great ones. It's been a terrific life."
As for the Tigers, they can take a lesson from Ernie and put the Minnesota series behind them, and look forward to tomorrow.
TRIBE BANKING ON WESTBROOK, HAFNER TO RETURN TO FORM
While the Cleveland Indians (10-17) have gotten significantly younger over the last few seasons, two of their key veterans remain in Travis Hafner and Jake Westbrook. However, it has been quite a while since either of those players have been productive on a consistent basis. Compounding the frustration is the fact that Hafner and Westbrook are the Tribe's two highest paid players.
Hafner, who turns 33 in less than a month, signed the largest contract in team history during the 2007 All-Star break: four years and $57 million. He is making a team-high $11.5 million this season and his salary jumps to $13 million in 2011 and 2012. Since signing that contract Hafner has missed a combined 173 games in 2008 and 2009, totaling just 21 home runs while batting .245 during those two seasons. He is hitting just .213 so far this season, though Wednesday's mammoth shot into the right-center field seats provided a glimmer of hope.
"I had a good spring and was hoping to get off to a good start," said Hafner, whose past shoulder injuries have led to some bad habits at the plate. "That hasn't happened. But you can't really worry about it. You've got to continue to work hard every day. I hope to get going soon and be a big part of the offense."
As for the 32-year-old Westbrook, he is in the final year of a three-year, $33 million contract. Since posting back-to-back 15-win seasons in 2005 and 2006, Westbrook has tallied just seven wins for the Tribe. He is now trying to resurrect his career after Tommy John surgery cost him most of 2008 and all of the 2009 season. But so far, the results have been anything but promising, as Westbrook is off to an 0-2 start with a 5.74 ERA. In 34 2/3 innings, he has issued 17 walks and thrown four wild pitches, as he's struggled to regain his feel.
Pitching coach Tim Belcher spoke with Dr. Lewis Yocum, who performed the ligament replacement surgery in June 2008.
"(Yocum) said most of his patients with that Tommy John don't really get their command back until the second year," Belcher said on the team's website. "Hopefully it comes a little bit quicker for him."
TWINS STAYING HOT WITHOUT MAUER
The Minnesota Twins (19-10) enjoy a three-game lead in the AL Central standings as they resume their homestand Friday against Baltimore. They were able to build that cushion thanks to a three-game sweep over the second-place Tigers earlier this week.
And they've managed to do so without reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer in the lineup for the last six games. Mauer suffered a deep soft tissue bruise in his left heel last Friday. He took some batting practice on Thursday but is still not able to run. A timetable has not been set for his return.
"He feels good swinging, but he's not ready to run yet," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He's feeling better every day. We are going to let Joe tell me when he is ready to play. I just want to make sure we get through this thing without re-injuring it."
Meanwhile, the Twins twice left the bases loaded in Thursday's series-opening 2-0 loss to the Orioles, snapping Minnesota's three-game win streak. It also snapped a six-game streak in which the Twins scored at least two runs in the first inning. Still, they'll look to build on their division lead as Francisco Liriano (4-0, 1.50) takes the hill Friday to try and improve upon his impressive start.
SOX WAITING FOR THE REAL MARK BUEHRLE TO SHOW UP
For White Sox (12-17) ace Mark Buehrle, none of his last four starts have remotely resembled the same man who has four All-Star nods, a no-hitter and a perfect game on his resume. Buehrle has allowed at least four runs in each of his last four outings, posting an 0-4 record, a 7.25 ERA and a .345 opponents batting average over that period.
What's most puzzling to Buehrle is that he feels great after an offseason conditioning program aimed at strengthening his throwing shoulder.
"That's why I'm surprised at the numbers I have," he said. "The way I feel like I've thrown and the way I feel when I'm throwing, I feel way too good for having the numbers I have. Obviously everybody's kind of joking around saying, 'You should have sat on your butt and not done anything this offseason,' but I feel as strong right now as I have in a while."
Having made eight Opening Day starts for Chicago, logic suggests he'll get it going sooner or later. The team hopes the resurrection begins Friday when he takes the hill against the Toronto Blue Jays. Of course, Buehrle's struggles have magnified a starting rotation which ranks fourth-worst in the AL with a combined 5.02 ERA. Jake Peavy (1-2, 6.31), Gavin Floyd (1-3, 6.89) and Freddy Garcia (1-2, 5.28) seem to have followed Buehrle's lead.
ROYALS ISSUING TOO MANY FREE PASSES
Royals pitching coach Bob McClure had seen enough.
With his staff leading the majors with 126 walks, he called a pitcher's meeting prior to the team's series opener with the Texas Rangers on Thursday. The message was clear: "get ahead of the hitters, have confidence in your stuff, and be aggressive in the strike zone."
McClure believes throwing strikes can be contagious. Only now, it's up to the Royals (11-18) hurlers to execute. But that's easier said than done for a staff that led the AL with 600 free passes last year.
"I'd rather watch them bang balls off the bullpen fence than keep giving up walks," manager Trey Hillman told the Kansas City Star on Wednesday. "I can watch losing baseball, but not bad baseball."
The one player who has no problem attacking the strike zone, reigning AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, takes the mound Friday against Texas. Remarkably, Greinke has yet to notch a win after six starts. His 2.27 ERA is the lowest of any qualifying starter in baseball without a victory. If Greinke is to break that mold, he could certainly use more than the 2.6 runs of support he has gotten from his offense thus far.
<< Get on Board with Untested Pitchers
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When it comes to wagering on baseball,
gamblers usually shy away from the unknown. It's easy to back the likes of Tim
Lincecum and Roy Halladay, but putting your money on rookies is another story.
However,
<< Morneau healthy and carrying Twins
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - American League pitchers and a nagging back
haven't been able to slow down Justin Morneau, and Joe Mauer's heel injury
likely won't either.
The first baseman's production didn't suffer last season while Mau
<< Motherwell eyes Europa League spot
Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Motherwell needs a win over Rangers on
Sunday to clinch fourth place in the Scottish Premier League and secure a spot
in the Europa League for next season.
But if they are successful, they can point
<< Lipscomb F Hodzic withdraws from NBA Draft
Nashville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lipscomb University forward Adnan Hodzic has
withdrawn from the 2010 NBA Draft and will return to the school for his senior
season.
Hodzic had entered the draft on April 8, but did not hire an agent.
"By
Barry's World Cup campaign in doubt >>
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry
is a major doubt for England's World Cup squad after being ruled out for four
weeks with ankle ligament damage.
City boss Roberto Mancini has revealed the in
Mancini: Tevez will stay at City >>
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini
has revealed that leading striker Carlos Tevez is more than happy to stay at
the club, despite failing to land Champions League football next term.
The Argenti
Ancelotti expects Cole stay >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes
Joe Cole will remain at the Stamford Bridge outfit next season despite being
out of contract in the summer.
Talks over new terms have been placed on hold unt
Burnley would welcome European place >>
Burnley, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Burnley manager Brian Laws has welcomed
the surprise possibility of European football at Turf Moor next season.
The Clarets will be playing in the Championship next term following their
relegation
Las Vegas Sports Consultants (LVSC) is the world’s premier oddsmaking company and the most respected authority on making the lines. Mike Seba is a Senior Oddsmaker at LVSC and has been making lines for the last six years. In our extended interview, Seba explained that there are 4-5 oddsmakers assigned to make lines for each of the major sports (pro & college football and basketball; MLB, NHL, boxing, golf). Each of these oddsmakers bring unique opinions, strengths and weaknesses to the process. Oddsmakers at LVSC are professional sports junkies who love what they do and would probably do it for nothing if you asked them, but they do get paid for it. By necessity their approach is very research-oriented and concise, since with millions of dollars at risk there is little margin for error.
“You either have a passion for it or you don’t,” Seba said.
“The #1 thing for us is to make a line for each game that creates good two-way action. We do this by drawing from past experiences and applying them to current situations. People think it’s much more complicated, but it’s not. “Divided action means the sportsbook is guaranteed a profit on the game because of the fee charged to the bettor (called juice or vig – typically $11 bet to win $10).
Power ratings are the oddsmaker’s value of each team and are used as a guide to calculate a "preliminary" pointspread on an upcoming game. The power ratings are adjusted after each game a team plays. Examples of non-game factors that would require an adjustment to a team's power rating are key player injuries and player trades.
Once a game’s power rating based pointspread is determined, the oddsmaker will make adjustments to that line after considering each team's most recent games played and previous games played against that opponent. Also, adjustments are made after reading each team’s local newspapers to get a sense of what the coaches & players are thinking going into the game.Since the oddsmaker’s ultimate goal is equally dividing the sports betting action, public perception and sportsbook betting patterns must be taken into account. For example, the public might have heavy betting interest week after week on a popular college football betting team such as USC. If an oddsmaker comes up with a preliminary line of USC -7, then an adjustment up to -7.5 or -8 would be made in response to the public’s expected USC bias.
The last step in the line-making process for each oddsmaker is taking one final look to determine whether or not the line "feels right." This is where common sense and past experience with how games are bet enters into the picture.A round-table discussion among the 4-5 oddsmakers involved in making the line for each sport is then conducted and a consensus line is decided upon by the Odds Director before it is released to the sportsbooks. Of the 4-5 oddsmakers, generally the 2 most respected opinions are weighed more heavily by the Odds Director before he decides on the final line.
Experts working for the individual books having a strong opinion on the game
Individual books having players who consistently bet with certain tendencies (such as an extreme bias toward favorites or toward a certain popular team like USC)The purpose of these adjustments, like all line adjustments, is to more equally divide the betting action.
Once betting begins, sportsbooks can adjust the line at any time. In doing so they attempt to make more attractive the team that is getting less action. By moving the line, sportsbooks can influence how the public bets on a particular game.For example, if the pointspread on a game is 7 and most of the money is coming in on the underdog (taking the +7), sportsbooks will then move the number down to 6 ½ to try and attract money on the favorite.
Moving the line is the oddsmaker's effort to balance betting action, and often times such moves can have a major impact on a bettor’s decision. Oddsmakers can also change the line depending on various event-related factors such as player injuries or weather. Obviously, if the line comes out a week ahead of the event (which is the case in football), there is much that could happen during the week leading up to the event that could affect the line. Oddsmakers have to determine if any changes are necessary and send out an "adjusted line."“The main objective is that our clients get equal action on both sides,” Seba said. “We’re not trying to pick the team that covers the spread, we’re trying to make it a coin flip, a tough decision (for the bettor). If we’ve done that, we’ve done our job.”
To visit this internet sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your sports betting needs and World Series odds.
American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6
The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.
Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com. "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis. It's like Week 1 of the NFL. Pre-season means nada!
We do know the 24 finalists however.
Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24. He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway. He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien.
Brandon Rogers - Who?
Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition. He should go a good distance.
Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was. And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition. He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice! People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way.
"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks. He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes. But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.
A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”
Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes.
"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate. "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past. He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far. Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."
Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts)
And the others:
Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
The girls
"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis. "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has. The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive. I think she will go far."
Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.
"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams. Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth. "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.
Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.
Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.
Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan
MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with).
Last two contestants will be?
1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)
2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)
2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)
MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.
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