Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting
06/05/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Of all the things that have gone wrong for the Detroit Tigers this season, hitting was not supposed to be one of them.
But as the team tries to regroup following a series sweep at the hands of the Oakland Athletics, manager Jim Leyland is trying to make sense of how his lineup could go so cold.
"If this club, up to this point, had hit like it was expected to, we'd be close to being in first place," Leyland told the Detroit Free Press. "We score one run, two runs. If this club was doing anything near what it's supposed to be doing offensively, we'd be in third place and not very far out of first."
As it stands, Detroit is a season-worst 11 games below .500, leading the last- place Kansas City Royals by just a game. The Tigers are also 8 1/2 games off the pace in the division.
They finished the month of May with a 10-17 record, and the start of June doesn't look so promising. Earlier in the season, it was the starting pitching that was struggling big time. Now, it's the bats. But, as Leyland put it, struggling really isn't the word.
"Everybody we face can't be Sandy Koufax," Leyland said in the Press. "Our offense basically has stunk. We look like we're swinging underwater. Some guys look like they're lost, like they don't know what they're doing."
That shouldn't be the case with a mostly veteran club. Not with a team made up largely of guys who had molded winning into their DNA over the last two seasons. But the standings don't lie.
In Wednesday's 10-2 loss to Oakland, the Tigers managed just four hits. It was the 23rd time this season the team has failed to score more than three runs in a game. And the Tigers weren't any more aggressive during Tuesday's 5-4 loss, in which both teams combined for 22 walks.
"Twenty-two walks in a Major League game is a disgrace," Leyland said, noting the Tigers accounted for 12 of those free passes. "It's very confusing, to be honest with you... Sometimes, it almost appears like we're sitting around, waiting to get beat."
WILLIS' RETURN CREATES LOGJAM IN ROTATION
When Dontrelle Willis came off the disabled list a couple weeks ago, his first action came out of the bullpen, something the southpaw hadn't done since the 2003 World Series. He got the nod to start Tuesday's game, pitching four innings of shutout ball. On the plus side, he allowed only two hits. On the negative side, he issued five walks, which is something that plagued Willis earlier in the season.
"I think you try to continue to work on the positive and not the negative," Leyland said, referring to how Willis was able to work out of the jams he created. "I'm just saying I thought there some signs of good hope there. I don't know how it's going to play out, but there were some signs."
While Willis was on the shelf, Armando Galarraga was called up and performed better than expected, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.76 ERA. Leyland has not yet announced who will get the nod Monday against Cleveland when that spot in the rotation comes up again.
ZUMAYA, RODNEY TAKE ANOTHER STEP FORWARD
For the Tigers, anticipating the return of relievers Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya has been like a season in itself. On Tuesday, both began their respective rehab assignments.
Of the two, Rodney is further along, and was sent to Triple-A Toledo to begin his rehab. He is said to be making progress from a recurring bout of tendinitis in his right shoulder.
Zumaya, meanwhile, breezed through two scoreless innings for Class-A Lakeland on Tuesday, allowing only one hit. Perhaps more importantly, he topped out at 101 mph according to the stadium radar gun. According to Leyland, the team is hopeful both can return sometime this month.
WHO'S HOT
At least two Tigers hitters are deserving of All-Star consideration at this point. Over the past month, Magglio Ordonez is hitting .340, while Placido Polanco is batting at a .323 clip.
Also, reliever Zach Miner has a 1.26 ERA in his last 10 appearances.
WHO'S NOT
While Curtis Granderson did manage to pelt a solo home run in Monday's 3-2 loss, the leadoff man is still trying to get his timing down at the plate. He is hitting just .245 on the season.
A LOOK AHEAD
It will be the battle of underachievers when the Indians come to town on Friday. Justin Verlander (2-8, 5.16) will square off with Paul Byrd (2-5, 4.66) in the opener. On Saturday, it will be Kenny Rogers (4-4, 5.54) against Aaron Laffey (3-3, 3.02). Jeremy Bonderman (3-4, 4.29) gets the nod against Jeremy Sowers (0-0, 5.23) on Sunday. Leyland will likely decide in the next day or two who will take the hill on Monday.
<< Indians to send out Sabathia in last test with Rangers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner C.C.
Sabathia will try to put a few subpar outings behind him when he leads the
Cleveland Indians tonight in the finale of a four-game series against the
Texas R
<< Reyes leads Mets in opener at San Diego
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In an up-and-down season for the Mets this year, Jose Reyes
being on base has been the one constant as of late. The New York shortstop
will try to get on track versus the San Diego Padres tonight in the opener of
a four-
<< Marlins hope to gain split with Braves in finale of trek
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Florida Marlins will close the books on a 10-game road
trip tonight, when they wrap up a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves
at Turner Field.
The Marlins are just 3-6 on the stand, but ended a three-game l
<< Twins, Orioles set for rubber match at Metrodome
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It took a while, but Joe Mauer is finding his power stroke.
The Minnesota catcher hopes he gets a chance to lead his team to a victory
tonight, when the Twins play the rubber match of a three-game set with the
Baltimo
The best don't always win, but Big Brown will >>
Elmont, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Big Brown stands as a Colossus over the 2008
crop of three-year-old thoroughbreds. It may not be much of a crop, but Big
Brown has already locked up the division championship.
Can Big Brown become the fir
Rays to take Beckham with No. 1 pick >>
Orlando, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays will choose shortstop Tim
Beckham with the first overall selection in Thursday's First-Year Player
Draft.
The Rays announced on their website that they will take the gifted shortst
Golf Tidbits: Is Perry skipping the Open a good call? >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Immediately after winning The Memorial
last week, Kenny Perry re-affirmed his plan to skip the U.S. Open next week at
Torrey Pines.
Perry has been trying to play his way onto the U.S. Ryder Cup team, and t
Report: San Jose wants to talk to Tortorella >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella might be
heading to San Jose as the team has reportedly sought permission to speak to
him.
Citing unnamed sources, TSN of Canada posted on its website that the Sharks
Super Bowl XLIII is now set, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will meet each other on February 1st in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium to battle it out for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. The game kicks off at 6:00pm ET on NBC with announcers Al Michaels and John Madden covering the on-field action. Super Bowl XLIII betting odds at online bookmaker MySportsbook.com have the Steelers listed as an early -6.5 against the spread favorite.Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds
Pittsburgh earned their passage to the big game by beating their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, 23-14 in yesterday's AFC Championship Game. The Steelers jumped on Baltimore early, building a 13-0 first half lead, and never let up on their way to a fairly easy win. Although the Ravens did close to within two points in the fourth quarter, it never appeared as if they had enough offense to pull off the upset.
The Steelers dominating defense held Baltimore to a total of 198 yards while allowing them to convert just three third downs in 13 attempts. Pittsburgh also forced quarterback Joe Flacco into three interceptions, one of which safety Troy Polamalu returned fourty yards for a touchdown.
The Cardinals, by far the playoff team with the longest odds to reach Super Bowl XLIII, did so yesterday with a 32-25 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. Arizona charged out of the gates and built a 24-6 halftime lead that had the Eagles venerable defense reeling. Quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald did most of the damage, connecting on three first half touchdowns.
Arizona, however, could not sustain their momentum and the Eagles took a 25-24 with 10:45 left to play in the fourth. The Cardinals, with the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance hanging in the balance, mounted a fourteen play, 72 yard touchdown drive that consumed 7:52 off the clock. Warner hit running back Tim Hightower on a short screen for the go-ahead, game clinching score that will forever live in Cardinal infamy.
MySportsbook.com's Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds:
Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5 (-110), Over 46.5 (-110), -260 (Money line)
Arizona Cardinals +6.5 (-110), Under 46.5 (-110), +220 (Money line)
Matt Foust won both of his conference championship plays yesterday and he is ready to serve up plenty of Super Bowl action. Each individual play costs $15.00, however, MySportsbook.com recommends purchasing Matt's NFL Playoff Package which includes all of Matt's Super Bowl props and picks from just $45.00.
Get free Super Bowl XLIII Betting from top rated online sportsbook MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online Super Bowl betting with credit cards
It’s time to see how the biggest NFL free agent signings will perform for their news teams. Some will work out and could be the difference that makes a difference in the win column.
We look at the best off-season signings and if they should influence your NFL betting this season. Julius Peppers – Peppers was the biggest prize available on the 2010 NFL free agent market and the Chicago Bears opened the bank to bring his talents to the south side.
Peppers is explosive, he can get around blockers and cause quarterbacks to lose their minds. We all remember the classic Peppers game last year against the Vikings where he hounded Brett Favre into his worst game of the season. Peppers joining the Bears could be the reason Favre retired for good Tuesday morning. In addition to Peppers, the Bears added Chester Taylor to back up Matt Forte, Forte didn’t have the same intensity in 2009 compared to 2008 and bringing in Taylor will challenge Forte to bring it every game or he’ll risk losing carries to Taylor.
Betting on the Bears is a good option this season because of Julius Peppers and to a lesser extent Taylor. Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens – The Cincinnati Bengals signed two former number one wide receivers to line up with Chad Ocho Cinco. Antonio Bryant had a huge season in 2008 catching 83 passes for over 1200 yards but regressed last season. Playing for the Tampa Bay Bucs last season was a large part of the regression, everyone was bad in TB last season.
Bryant should have a bounce back season if he can win the number two spot from Terrell Owens. If Bryant wins the number 2 WR spot, it will open up a completely new set of problems for the Bengals. If Owens is forced to the bench in favor of Bryant, his attitude will create trouble for Carson Palmer and head coach Marv Lewis. If Owens is the number two receiver, it means Bryant can’t live up to his past numbers and the Bengals are still limited in the passing game. NFL bettors should be wary of laying their money down on what could potentially be the biggest gong show in the league in 2010. 2010 football betting lines for this can be found at this top online sportsbook. Karlos Danby – The Miami Dolphins have a great running back tandem in Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, a good young QB in Chad Henne and now the Bill Parcells regime is building a solid defense.
NFL bettors should be wary of laying their money down on what could potentially be the biggest gong show in the league in 2010. Karlos Danby – The Miami Dolphins have a great running back tandem in Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, a good young QB in Chad Henne and now the Bill Parcells regime is building a solid defense. They signed away the Arizona Cardinals top linebacker Karlos Danby. In the past two seasons, Danby has totaled 228 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. The Dolphins are the forgotten team of the AFC East with the second longest odds to win the division but with the addition of Karlos Danby and a trade for WR Brandon Marshall makes the Miami Dolphins legitimate contenders in the AFC East and in the NFL’s Eastern Conference.
The Dolphins will make NFL wagering fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting