The Oakland Raiders could be a good bet all season long on the point spread and moneyline for the NFL betting crew, and we might be able to start nice and early.
On Thursday night, the Oakland Raiders travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys for a preseason game that they should win outright. Looking at the current preseason odds, online sportsbooks have the Raiders as a 3.5-point dog.
The Cowboys already played in the Hall of Fame Game and came away with a comfortable 16-7 win. Betting fans also saw them come away with a season-ending injury to third-string tight end, John Phillips, and while he's not a big-time contributor, you have to wonder if the Cowboys will play it even closer to the vest in Week 2.
Meanwhile, sportsbook odds makers might be undervaluing the Raiders right now. In the preseason, they will have a quarterback rotation of Jason Campbell, Charlie Frye, Kyle Boller and Bruce Gradkowski. All four quarterbacks have made numerous starts in the NFL and while none of them stuck, picking apart a second- or third-string defense should be easy for them. Especially since they'll be fighting for a roster spot.
The Raiders are getting 3.5 points on the game and they have fared very well in their first preseason game of late. The Raiders are 4-0 in the last four years as far the first exhibition game is concerned, so they might even win this game outright. The Raiders have a lot more to accomplish than Dallas, who knows their identity, knows their team goals and knows who they are heading into this season. That should reflect in the motivation for both teams.
NFL Football Pick: Raiders +3.5
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
What About Brett?
For the last two offseasons, almost all NFL betting handicappers speculated that Brett Favre was retiring. Now that we finally assumed that the he’d be coming back, he has reportedly decided to retire…or has he…wait a minute.
All sorts of rumors are flying from him deciding to hang it up, to still being undecided, to looking for more money and an extension from the Vikings, to possibly seeing Dr. James Andrews about his ankle that hasn’t fully recovered two months after surgery…and don’t even get started about sending text images of him in his crocs.
So the sportsbook have their hands full but so do the handicappers. The Green Bay Packers were previously the NFC North favorites, so the odds makers were already prepared. Expect money to pour in on the Packers even more so now that it looks like Favre is hanging it up.
Here are the two scenarios:
If Favre Retires…
The Vikings will turn to Tarvaris Jackson to take over and this again becomes Adrian Peterson’s team. Considering the amount he fumbled last season and how little he worked on it in the offseason, the sails will be deflated.
Furthermore, as the season approaches and the team realizes Favre isn’t coming back, they will feel fairly deflated to start the season. Football betting fans know that this is still a playoff team if he’s not there, but this is not a Super Bowl contender with Jackson at quarterback.
Handicappers who truly think he’s retired can wait. Right now, money is pouring in against the Vikings but that will balance out as we get closer to the season and the speculation mounts that he’ll return. If you’re betting against the Vikings, you should see better odds as the season approaches.
If Favre Returns…
Then nothing has really changed for the Vikings. They were expected to be a contender – and maybe the team to beat – in the NFC, and they’ll be back on track. Favre makes this team legit and they need him. Furthermore, the remaining Vikings who are going through the rigors of camp might think that they have to move on without Favre and if he comes back, he’ll give the team an inspirational boost.
If you believe he’s coming back, buy low now as the odds won’t get any lower on the Vikings. There are good price tags on them to win the division and win the NFC right now.
Check the NFL odds
All sorts of rumors are flying from him deciding to hang it up, to still being undecided, to looking for more money and an extension from the Vikings, to possibly seeing Dr. James Andrews about his ankle that hasn’t fully recovered two months after surgery…and don’t even get started about sending text images of him in his crocs.
So the sportsbook have their hands full but so do the handicappers. The Green Bay Packers were previously the NFC North favorites, so the odds makers were already prepared. Expect money to pour in on the Packers even more so now that it looks like Favre is hanging it up.
Here are the two scenarios:
If Favre Retires…
The Vikings will turn to Tarvaris Jackson to take over and this again becomes Adrian Peterson’s team. Considering the amount he fumbled last season and how little he worked on it in the offseason, the sails will be deflated.
Furthermore, as the season approaches and the team realizes Favre isn’t coming back, they will feel fairly deflated to start the season. Football betting fans know that this is still a playoff team if he’s not there, but this is not a Super Bowl contender with Jackson at quarterback.
Handicappers who truly think he’s retired can wait. Right now, money is pouring in against the Vikings but that will balance out as we get closer to the season and the speculation mounts that he’ll return. If you’re betting against the Vikings, you should see better odds as the season approaches.
If Favre Returns…
Then nothing has really changed for the Vikings. They were expected to be a contender – and maybe the team to beat – in the NFC, and they’ll be back on track. Favre makes this team legit and they need him. Furthermore, the remaining Vikings who are going through the rigors of camp might think that they have to move on without Favre and if he comes back, he’ll give the team an inspirational boost.
If you believe he’s coming back, buy low now as the odds won’t get any lower on the Vikings. There are good price tags on them to win the division and win the NFC right now.
Check the NFL odds
Friday, July 16, 2010
Leaders Focus on World Series Run
If you’re a “due factor” bettor, you might be smiling this week after National League won the 2010 Midsummer Classic for the first time in over a decade. “Over” bettors might not be so happy, as the game featured some impressive pitching.
Online sportsbook had the Total set at 8.5 to 9 across the board by gametime, with several reporting 60% to 70% of the Over/Under action coming in on the “Over”. It really didn’t get close, as the final was 3-1.
That win means the National League finally won homefield for this year’s Fall Classic. But will the NL come away with the World Series in 2010?
Despite the dominance of the AL in past All-Star games, the results have been close to even when it comes to World Series titles with the Junior Circuit taking six of them since 2000 and the Senior Circuit taking four – the Philadelphia Phillies were the last team from the NL to win the World Series, back in 2008.
You know the Atlanta Braves (NL East), the Cincinnati Reds (NL Central) and the San Diego Padres (NL West), all division leaders, were hoping for an NL all-star win to claim homefield.
Of the three current division leaders, the Braves have the biggest lead, with a four-game cushion on the New York Mets.
Sportsbook currently have Atlanta listed at -175 to take the division, +300 to take the NL pennant and +900 to take the World Series.
Looking over the Braves’ second-half sked, they play 13 series against teams from within their own division.
The Atlanta Braves have done well in their last 20 overall against teams from within the NL East, going 14-6 straight up and in their last eight such games, there have been only 2 Overs and 6 Unders.
It looks like the Braves will have to fight off both the Mets and the Phillies in order to win the division and take a run at the World Series.
While the Braves are 13-7 SU in their last 20 overall against the Metropolitans, they are only 3-5 SU in their last eight and the last 10 meetings between the two have all gone Under.
Against the Phillies, the Braves were on a 4-8 SU slide but things have picked up lately and they are 6-2 SU in their last eight against Philadelphia.
The Reds currently hold a one-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central and Cincy is -110 to take the division, +800 to win the pennant and +2500 to win the World Series, something they haven’t done since 1990.
Cincinnati’s road to a division title and the postseason, based on the current standings, looks to run through St. Louis.
However, the Reds only have six more games against the Cards (three at home and three on the road) and Cincinnati has struggled against the Cardinals in St. Louis, going 6-14 SU in their last 20 at Busch Stadium.
The L.A. Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies are tied for the NL Wild Card spot currently and they are also both two games back of division-leading San Diego.
The Padres are +1500 to win the World Series, +800 to take the NL pennant and the odds-on to win the NL West at -300.
If it goes down to the wire with the Rockies however, Colorado could have the upper hand.
In the San Diego Padres’ last 10 overall against the Rockies, they are only 3-7 SU with seven of their last nine going Over.
While the Padres are only 5-5 SU in their last 10 overall against the Dodgers, there have been 2 Overs and 8 Unders.
The NL ended an All-Star game losing streak to the AL in this year’s All-Star game taking homefield for the World Series.
But homefield advantage won’t mean a thing if the NL teams don’t win the World Series.
Online sportsbook had the Total set at 8.5 to 9 across the board by gametime, with several reporting 60% to 70% of the Over/Under action coming in on the “Over”. It really didn’t get close, as the final was 3-1.
That win means the National League finally won homefield for this year’s Fall Classic. But will the NL come away with the World Series in 2010?
Despite the dominance of the AL in past All-Star games, the results have been close to even when it comes to World Series titles with the Junior Circuit taking six of them since 2000 and the Senior Circuit taking four – the Philadelphia Phillies were the last team from the NL to win the World Series, back in 2008.
You know the Atlanta Braves (NL East), the Cincinnati Reds (NL Central) and the San Diego Padres (NL West), all division leaders, were hoping for an NL all-star win to claim homefield.
Of the three current division leaders, the Braves have the biggest lead, with a four-game cushion on the New York Mets.
Sportsbook currently have Atlanta listed at -175 to take the division, +300 to take the NL pennant and +900 to take the World Series.
Looking over the Braves’ second-half sked, they play 13 series against teams from within their own division.
The Atlanta Braves have done well in their last 20 overall against teams from within the NL East, going 14-6 straight up and in their last eight such games, there have been only 2 Overs and 6 Unders.
It looks like the Braves will have to fight off both the Mets and the Phillies in order to win the division and take a run at the World Series.
While the Braves are 13-7 SU in their last 20 overall against the Metropolitans, they are only 3-5 SU in their last eight and the last 10 meetings between the two have all gone Under.
Against the Phillies, the Braves were on a 4-8 SU slide but things have picked up lately and they are 6-2 SU in their last eight against Philadelphia.
The Reds currently hold a one-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central and Cincy is -110 to take the division, +800 to win the pennant and +2500 to win the World Series, something they haven’t done since 1990.
Cincinnati’s road to a division title and the postseason, based on the current standings, looks to run through St. Louis.
However, the Reds only have six more games against the Cards (three at home and three on the road) and Cincinnati has struggled against the Cardinals in St. Louis, going 6-14 SU in their last 20 at Busch Stadium.
The L.A. Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies are tied for the NL Wild Card spot currently and they are also both two games back of division-leading San Diego.
The Padres are +1500 to win the World Series, +800 to take the NL pennant and the odds-on to win the NL West at -300.
If it goes down to the wire with the Rockies however, Colorado could have the upper hand.
In the San Diego Padres’ last 10 overall against the Rockies, they are only 3-7 SU with seven of their last nine going Over.
While the Padres are only 5-5 SU in their last 10 overall against the Dodgers, there have been 2 Overs and 8 Unders.
The NL ended an All-Star game losing streak to the AL in this year’s All-Star game taking homefield for the World Series.
But homefield advantage won’t mean a thing if the NL teams don’t win the World Series.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
MLB All-Star Game: Miami Heat Betting Props?
MLB All-Star Game: Miami Heat Betting Props?
While the pomp and circumstance surrounding LeBron James’ future team probably took 59-minutes too long (did he really need to do an ESPN special?) the world finally found out that he would play the 2010/11 NBA season with the Miami Heat.
Hoops fans in South Beach rejoiced while fans in Cleveland began constructing Lebron effigies to promptly set ablaze.
And what did online sportsbooks do? They started setting odds on betting options for the Miami Heat. SPORTSBETTING.com wasted no time, being the first ones out the door with their Heat related prop bets.
Allow me to state the obvious: With the additions of James and Bosh and the re-signing of Wade, the Miami Heat’s chances of a title next year have increased significantly. But what about the number of championships this team can run off while they have King James wrapped up?
One of the props that SPORTSBETTING put up is this:
You can bet the Over/Under of the number of NBA championships Miami will win between now and 2015 (when James’ deal with the Heat expires). The number is set at 1.5.
So if you think they can win two championships or more between next season and 2015, get a bet in now. Or will they run into trouble and struggle to get even one?
How about Eastern Conference titles?
The O/U for the number of Eastern Conference titles won between July 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015 is also 1.5. No this one has me looking at the “Over”, as I do think they have a good chance of tearing up the East for a few years…getting by the Western rep is a different story.
MVP City?
LeBron James is the two-time defending NBA regular season MVP and Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have the potential to be MVPs as well. So you can put your money up on how much hardware this trio will win as well.
The Total for the number of regular season MVP awards that go the Miami Heat’s way between July 1 of 2010 to 2015 is set at 1.5. This might be tough to get to, as you now have three players who will be relied on for offense, meaning they’ll spread around the points. This will make it more difficult for one of the group to shine enough for an MVP award.
Other Miami Heat Props:
- The Over/Under on the most regular season wins the Miami Heat rack up while the trio of James. Wade and Bosh is under contract is 66.5.
- One of the signs that you’re a marquee team in the NBA is whether you play on Christmas Day or not and to that end, the Total on the number of Christmas games the Miami Heat play between July 1, 2010 to 2015 is 4.5.
MLB All-Star Game:
While there are only future and prop action for NBA bettors, there is more relevant betting available for baseball fans with the MLB All-Star game on July 13 in Anaheim, California.
Currently, online sportsbooks have the American League favored at -120 and the National League paying out at Even money for the Midsummer Classic with the Over/Under at 9.
Along with the All-Star game line betting are proposition bets as well.
Will there be a ground rule double during the 2010 All-Star game? +175 for Yes and -350 for No.
Will there be a run scored in the first inning of 2010 All-Star game play? +105 for Yes and -155 for No.
Better yet, will there be a homer in inning one of the All-Star game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim? +187 for Yes and -275 for No.
With all the heavy hitters on both the AL and NL lineups, will someone hit a grand slam? +380 if a player hits a grand salami and -800 if no one does.
Will there be back to back homers (in the same inning)? +310 if there are two-consecutive dingers in the same inning and -600 if there isn’t.
Here’s a prop with big odds.
Will there be a triple play? +1100 if one All-Star squad turns a triple play and -5000 if there isn’t.
Miami’s NBA team may have taken two of the “hot” players in free agency but the MLB All-Star game is the next big betting event of the summer – talk about hot fun in the summer time.
Have a good week.
While the pomp and circumstance surrounding LeBron James’ future team probably took 59-minutes too long (did he really need to do an ESPN special?) the world finally found out that he would play the 2010/11 NBA season with the Miami Heat.
Hoops fans in South Beach rejoiced while fans in Cleveland began constructing Lebron effigies to promptly set ablaze.
And what did online sportsbooks do? They started setting odds on betting options for the Miami Heat. SPORTSBETTING.com wasted no time, being the first ones out the door with their Heat related prop bets.
Allow me to state the obvious: With the additions of James and Bosh and the re-signing of Wade, the Miami Heat’s chances of a title next year have increased significantly. But what about the number of championships this team can run off while they have King James wrapped up?
One of the props that SPORTSBETTING put up is this:
You can bet the Over/Under of the number of NBA championships Miami will win between now and 2015 (when James’ deal with the Heat expires). The number is set at 1.5.
So if you think they can win two championships or more between next season and 2015, get a bet in now. Or will they run into trouble and struggle to get even one?
How about Eastern Conference titles?
The O/U for the number of Eastern Conference titles won between July 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015 is also 1.5. No this one has me looking at the “Over”, as I do think they have a good chance of tearing up the East for a few years…getting by the Western rep is a different story.
MVP City?
LeBron James is the two-time defending NBA regular season MVP and Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have the potential to be MVPs as well. So you can put your money up on how much hardware this trio will win as well.
The Total for the number of regular season MVP awards that go the Miami Heat’s way between July 1 of 2010 to 2015 is set at 1.5. This might be tough to get to, as you now have three players who will be relied on for offense, meaning they’ll spread around the points. This will make it more difficult for one of the group to shine enough for an MVP award.
Other Miami Heat Props:
- The Over/Under on the most regular season wins the Miami Heat rack up while the trio of James. Wade and Bosh is under contract is 66.5.
- One of the signs that you’re a marquee team in the NBA is whether you play on Christmas Day or not and to that end, the Total on the number of Christmas games the Miami Heat play between July 1, 2010 to 2015 is 4.5.
MLB All-Star Game:
While there are only future and prop action for NBA bettors, there is more relevant betting available for baseball fans with the MLB All-Star game on July 13 in Anaheim, California.
Currently, online sportsbooks have the American League favored at -120 and the National League paying out at Even money for the Midsummer Classic with the Over/Under at 9.
Along with the All-Star game line betting are proposition bets as well.
Will there be a ground rule double during the 2010 All-Star game? +175 for Yes and -350 for No.
Will there be a run scored in the first inning of 2010 All-Star game play? +105 for Yes and -155 for No.
Better yet, will there be a homer in inning one of the All-Star game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim? +187 for Yes and -275 for No.
With all the heavy hitters on both the AL and NL lineups, will someone hit a grand slam? +380 if a player hits a grand salami and -800 if no one does.
Will there be back to back homers (in the same inning)? +310 if there are two-consecutive dingers in the same inning and -600 if there isn’t.
Here’s a prop with big odds.
Will there be a triple play? +1100 if one All-Star squad turns a triple play and -5000 if there isn’t.
Miami’s NBA team may have taken two of the “hot” players in free agency but the MLB All-Star game is the next big betting event of the summer – talk about hot fun in the summer time.
Have a good week.
Friday, July 2, 2010
MLB Betting: Philadelphia Phillies Injuries Impact Top Contenders
The two-time defending NL champion Philadelphia Phillies won’t be three-timers if they keep piling up bodies on their disabled list – they are currently 3.5 back of the Atlanta Braves for the division lead.
Already with five bodies in the sick bay, the Phillies recently added starting infielders Placido Polanco (elbow) and Chase Utley (right thumb) to the walking wounded.
Worse yet, according to reports, the ball club doesn’t know exactly when the two will return – MLB.com has Utley and Polanco both set to return “possibly in mid-July.”
The Phillies aren’t far behind the Atlanta Braves in terms of NL East futures betting, currently listed by sportsbooks at +125 to take the division and are both +330 and +750 to win the NL pennant and World Series respectively.
The Philadelphia Phillies are in Pittsburgh to play the Pirates currently, with Game 2 of 4 set to go on Friday.
The ageless one, Jamie Moyer takes the mound and in his last 10 starts, there have been 3 Overs and 7 Unders.
Keep an eye on the injury situation for these contenders as you look for your daily baseball bets.
Enjoy all the weekend action and Happy Independence Day.
Already with five bodies in the sick bay, the Phillies recently added starting infielders Placido Polanco (elbow) and Chase Utley (right thumb) to the walking wounded.
Worse yet, according to reports, the ball club doesn’t know exactly when the two will return – MLB.com has Utley and Polanco both set to return “possibly in mid-July.”
The Phillies aren’t far behind the Atlanta Braves in terms of NL East futures betting, currently listed by sportsbooks at +125 to take the division and are both +330 and +750 to win the NL pennant and World Series respectively.
The Philadelphia Phillies are in Pittsburgh to play the Pirates currently, with Game 2 of 4 set to go on Friday.
The ageless one, Jamie Moyer takes the mound and in his last 10 starts, there have been 3 Overs and 7 Unders.
Keep an eye on the injury situation for these contenders as you look for your daily baseball bets.
Enjoy all the weekend action and Happy Independence Day.
Baseball Betting: Atlanta Braves - Injuries Impact Top Contenders
There’s been a bit of an injury outbreak the past few days on the baseball diamond. So the sports betting public is going to want to keep an eye on rosters as we head toward the All-Star break.
Atlanta Braves:
Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward was having quite a season before he suffered a left thumb injury.
He knicked it up about six weeks ago, but tried to play through the injury before being placed on the 15-day disabled list (DL) on Monday. The rookie RF was batting .251 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs through 71 games – tops amongst rooks in the National League (NL).
Heyward’s stint on the DL is estimated to end around the All-Star break, but don’t bet on seeing him at the Midsummer Classic despite being the second-highest vote-getter in All-Star balloting for NL outfielders
Heyward doesn’t seem to mind though, telling reporters that the Braves are “doing the best thing” by holding him out and he’s probably right.
The Atlanta Braves currently sit in top spot in the NL East, 1.5-games up on the New York Mets and at the moment, online sportsbooks have them as the odds-on favorite to win the division at +100.
You can check all the baseball betting odds
Weekend Baseball Betting Action:
So how will the Braves fare without Heyward?
Heading into the weekend, the Braves begin a three-game home set against the division rival Florida Marlins and seeing as their opponents are in the lower part of the NL East standings (second-last) Atlanta has a chance to distance themselves from the Mets.
However, the Braves haven’t been all that sharp in their last nine home games against the Marlins, going only 3-6 straight up.
Over/Under Alert: In the last eight overall matchups between these two, there have been 7 Overs and 1 Under, in fact the last five overall games between the Braves and the Mets have all gone Over the total.
Atlanta Braves:
Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward was having quite a season before he suffered a left thumb injury.
He knicked it up about six weeks ago, but tried to play through the injury before being placed on the 15-day disabled list (DL) on Monday. The rookie RF was batting .251 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs through 71 games – tops amongst rooks in the National League (NL).
Heyward’s stint on the DL is estimated to end around the All-Star break, but don’t bet on seeing him at the Midsummer Classic despite being the second-highest vote-getter in All-Star balloting for NL outfielders
Heyward doesn’t seem to mind though, telling reporters that the Braves are “doing the best thing” by holding him out and he’s probably right.
The Atlanta Braves currently sit in top spot in the NL East, 1.5-games up on the New York Mets and at the moment, online sportsbooks have them as the odds-on favorite to win the division at +100.
You can check all the baseball betting odds
Weekend Baseball Betting Action:
So how will the Braves fare without Heyward?
Heading into the weekend, the Braves begin a three-game home set against the division rival Florida Marlins and seeing as their opponents are in the lower part of the NL East standings (second-last) Atlanta has a chance to distance themselves from the Mets.
However, the Braves haven’t been all that sharp in their last nine home games against the Marlins, going only 3-6 straight up.
Over/Under Alert: In the last eight overall matchups between these two, there have been 7 Overs and 1 Under, in fact the last five overall games between the Braves and the Mets have all gone Over the total.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Early Surprises in 2010 MLB SeasonEarly Surprises in 2010 MLB SeasonEarly Surprises in 2010 MLB Season
A month into the new baseball season and we have a few surprises developing.
In the Big Apple, the New York Yankees are challenging for the American League East lead…that doesn’t fall into the “Surprising” category…but across town, the New York Mets are fighting the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League East division, which is. Yes, it’s still early, but they have had a decent start to the season.
Online sportsbooks currently have the Metropolitans at +400 to win the NL East division.
The Mets, who have played second fiddle to the Yankees since the glory days of Hernandez, Dykstra, et al, were sitting in fourth place in the NL East at this time last year, with a 10-13 record and plenty of doom and gloom surrounding the team. As of this past Sunday, they are 14-11 and a half game behind Philadelphia
They start a series with the Reds in Cincinnati
Bettors have been cashing in on the Mets in their last 10 games, as they’ve booked an impressive 8-2 mark. However, they have struggled on the road, going 3-9 in their last 12 away from home.
John Maine is slated for the Tuesday night start. Bettors take note, as his last 11 road starts have not produced many winning tickets. He (and the team) have stumbled to a 2-9 mark in those games.
You can check the updated odds for this game on Monday night – Baseball Odds
San Diego Padres: The San Diego Padres are a bit of surprise team as well, currently leading the NL West (as of Sunday, they’re 1.5 games up on the San Francisco Giants).
Despite the early division lead, the Padres are still longshots to hang on a win the NL West, listed currently at +1100 at most online sportsbooks. But the sports betting public is starting to take notice, as Brian Taylor, manager at SPORTSBETTING.com reported decent betting action on San Diego
The Padres will host the Colorado Rockies in their next series.
San Diego have certainly been impressive in their last 16 games overall, with a record of 13-3, and even more so in their last 10 home games, going 9-1 in front of the home town fans.
Over/Under Notes: In San Diego
The early betting action is on the visiting Rockies for the Monday start. They are a road favorite, and 68% of the betting volume is on the visitor.
The BoSox are fourth in the AL East and start a series with the Los Angeles Angels, who are also struggling as well, sitting near the bottom of the AL West.
In the BoSox’s last 11 games against the Angels at Fenway, they are an ugly 3-8 SU.
Will the San Diego Padres and New York Mets maintain their respective positions in their divisions?
Will the Boston Red Sox move back to the top of the AL East?
We’ll be watching as these and more storylines unfold on the young baseball season.
Good luck with the plays today.
You can check all the updated Baseball Betting Odds
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