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09/16/2011 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres didn't give the Diamondbacks much help in Arizona's quest for its first division title since 2007. The D-Backs hope they are a little more generous this evening when the National League West rivals start up a three-game series at Petco Park.
Arizona holds the top spot in the division by seven games over San Francisco, which was able to keep the pressure on thanks to a three-game sweep of San Diego to begin the week. The Giants picked up their fifth straight win on Thursday while the Diamondbacks were off, keeping Arizona's magic number to capture the division at six.
The Padres couldn't handle the Giants' duo of starter Tim Lincecum and slugger Carlos Beltran, who hit two solo homers in helping to hand San Diego a 3-1 defeat on Wednesday.
Jesus Guzman hit an RBI double for San Diego in the first inning after Aubrey Huff's error at first base. Mat Latos, meanwhile, struck out eight over seven innings, but still took the loss.
"It was a good matchup," said Padres manager Bud Black, "Lincecum just out- pitched him and Beltran had a good day."
San Diego has lost six of seven and fell to just 3-17 in its last 20 games.
Arizona is also coming off a loss, just its fourth in 22 games, following a 3-2 setback to the Dodgers on Wednesday. The Diamondbacks lost even though Los Angeles starter Clayton Kershaw was ejected in the sixth inning for hitting Gerardo Parra with a pitch.
Parra saw a pitch sail over his head in Tuesday's meeting before hitting a home run that he stood and admired before rounding the bases. After crossing the plate, Parra and Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis exchanged words, and Kershaw could be seen yelling from the dugout.
That incident put the umpires on alert and led to Kershaw's quick ejection.
"Before the game, we were told if there was any intent we would be ejected," Arizona starter Daniel Hudson said. "That came from Major League Baseball."
Hudson yielded two runs and five hits through seven frames and had his four- game winning streak stopped.
"They got two runs in the first off four infield singles, that's baseball," Hudson said. "I had better command overall and got locked in after that."
The Diamondbacks took three of four from the Padres last weekend, giving them a victory in six of seven and 14 of the past 19 meetings overall. Arizona's Wade Miley squared off against Tim Stauffer of San Diego in Saturday's meeting and the two will rematch tonight after neither got a decision last weekend.
Miley had won three straight starts, giving up four runs in that span, since losing his major league debut on Aug. 20, but matched career highs with five runs allowed and four walks over his five-inning outing. Arizona eventually won the 24-year-old southpaw's first ever meeting with the Padres.
Stauffer, meanwhile, avoided a fourth straight loss with his no-decision as he was charged with three runs on six hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings. He has a 7.58 earned run average over his four starts since his last win on Aug. 18 and is 8-12 on the year with a 3.87 ERA.
The 29-year-old righty also remained winless in his career against Arizona. In 10 games, including four starts, versus the club, Stauffer is 0-2 with a 2.65 ERA.
<< Djokovic pulls out of Davis Cup semi opener
Belgrade, Serbia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hometown hero Novak Djokovic pulled out
of Friday's opening singles rubber in the Davis Cup semifinal between reigning
champion Serbia and visiting Argentina.
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"He made me laugh earlier this wee
<< Nadal dominates Gasquet to give Spain early Davis Cup edge
Cordoba, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rafael Nadal didn't appear to be bothered by
a short turnaround following his loss to Novak Djokovic in Monday's U.S. Open
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Davis C
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Tashkent, Uzbekistan (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ksenia Pervak of Russia and Eva
Birnerova of the Czech Republic were semifinal winners Friday at the Tashkent
Open and will play for the title on Saturday.
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Brewers try to draw closer to NL Central crown vs. Reds >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Even with their recent struggles, the Brewers are still in
the driver's seat in the National League Central. Recent comments from slugger
Prince Fielder and reliever Francisco Rodriguez have done little to help
Milwaukee put
Phils eye another NL East title in opener with Cards >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phillies remained very businesslike on Wednesday when
they officially clinched a spot in the postseason. Ryan Howard and company may
be able to cut loose a bit more tonight with a chance at wrapping up the
National Leag
Indians hope to avoid elimination in Minnesota >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Central Division rivals playing out the string meet in
Minneapolis on Friday when the last place Twins open up a three-game set by
hosting the reeling Cleveland Indians.
The hapless Twins lost their fifth straight game and
Giants, Rockies continue set in Colorado >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lefty Madison Bumgarner makes the 50th start of his big-
league career tonight when the defending World Series champion San Francisco
Giants return to Coors Field to continue a four-game weekend series with the
Colorado Rocki
The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.
While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.
For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.
1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.
2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.
How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.
Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.
Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.
How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).
Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.
Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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