 |
 Basketball Betting |
 |
||||
|
 |
||||
|
||||
NL Notebook: Better late then never for Reds' RhodesBaseball Betting Lines07/12/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There may not be a more random All-Star on this year's National League squad than left-handed specialist Arthur Rhodes. Then again, there may not be a more deserving player either. Forget the moonball he served up to Ryan Howard on Friday in Philadelphia, the 40-year-old Rhodes has been one of the best relievers in baseball this season for a Cincinnati Reds team that ranks right near the top of the surprises in the Major Leagues. Cincinnati, which hasn't been to the postseason since 1995, heads into the break with a one-game lead on the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central, and Rhodes is a huge reason why. Rhodes has pitched to a 1.54 earned run average in 41 games this season, going 33 straight scoreless appearances at one point to tie a major league record. He has only allowed six earned runs on the year, five of which have come against one of his six former teams - the Philadelphia Phillies - in the past month. It has been a long road to All-Stardom for the 19-year veteran, who began his career as a starter way back in 1991 with the Baltimore Orioles. After years of languishing in that role, Rhodes moved to the bullpen for the O's in 1995, becoming a full-fledged reliever in 1997, when the team won the AL East. Before this year, Rhodes' only other chance at an All-Star Game came in Seattle in 2001 when with the Mariners he went 5-0 with a 1.95 earned run average before the break. Rhodes was passed over that season, and has since become the definition of a journeyman pitcher. Since leaving the Mariners in 2003, Rhodes has been the property of seven different organizations, including a return to Seattle in 2007. That second tour actually didn't come to fruition until 2008, as Rhodes sat out the entire '07 campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery. Rhodes easily could have packed it in after that, especially given the fact that he lost his five-year-old son, Jordan, to an undisclosed illness in the winter of 2008. Rhodes, though, turned that nightmare into motivation and has been tremendous since the surgery, pitching to a 2.11 earned run average in 168 games for the M's, Marlins and now the Reds. Rhodes pays tribute to his son by drawing his initials in the back of the mound before each appearance, and has a pair of angel wings tattooed on his right calf. I can't imagine that there were many people in Cincinnati who thought much of the Reds' two-year, $4 million deal for Rhodes last winter. It very well could turn out to be the move that propels them to a division title. And it couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy. MANUEL GOES WITH JIMENEZ AS HIS STARTER Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who will be skippering the National League for a second straight year at this year's Mid-Summer Classic, named Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez as his starter for the contest at a Monday press conference. Jimenez has had an incredible start to the 2010 season with a record of 15-1 and a 2.20 earned run average in 18 starts. He has already matched his victory total from last year and leads the majors in wins. "It's a huge honor for me just to be here," said Jimenez. "I'm going to cherish the moment tomorrow. It's an honor to be in the clubhouse with all these stars." The 26-year-old Dominican native threw the season's first no-hitter and the first in Rockies history on April 17 against Atlanta. He last pitched on Thursday against St. Louis and threw eight innings in a 4-2 victory, becoming the first National League pitcher to reach 15 wins before the All-Star break since Greg Maddux in 1988. "He's a very talented guy," said Manuel, who indicated that Florida ace Josh Johnson was also considered. "We've got some real talented pitchers on the National League squad. He's 15-1 and his record speaks for itself." Manuel also named his starting lineup for Tuesday's contest. Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez will lead off for the National League and will be followed by Atlanta second baseman Martin Prado, who is starting for the injured Chase Utley of Philadelphia. St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols will bat third, followed by Philadelphia's Ryan Howard, who was chosen by Manuel as the designated hitter. New York Mets third baseman David Wright will hit fifth, followed by Milwaukee left fielder Ryan Braun, Dodgers center fielder Andre Ethier and Brewers' right fielder Corey Hart, who is starting in place of injured Atlanta rookie Jason Heyward. Yadier Molina of St. Louis will catch and bat ninth.
<< AL Notebook: Cano finally starting to 'get it' with Yankees
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It wasn't long ago that there were some people inside the New York Yankees organization who wanted to deal Robinson Cano. Some felt he was too lazy in the field. Others didn't like his approach at the plate. His harshest c
<< ESPN's Berman honored with Pete Rozelle Award
<< Henry to New York exactly what MLS needs
<< Three advance in Prague
<< Chivas USA's Braun earns MLS Player of Week
Canucks sign D O'Brien, three others >>
Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Vancouver Canucks on Monday announced the signing of defenseman Shane O'Brien. O'Brien, 26, had two goals and six assists with a plus-15 rating in 65 games for the Canucks last season. He has
This Week in Golf - July 12th through July 18th >>
The 'wow' factor in horse racing >>
Montana's Wilson to play after murder acquittal >>
Blackhawks to match San Jose's offer sheet for D Hjalmarsson >>
Super Bowl XLIV OddsSuper Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds. Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44. Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season. That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason. Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium. After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10. The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1). To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below. NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV New England Patriots 8/1 Dallas Cowboys 9/1 New York Giants 10/1 Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1 Indianapolis Colts 12/1 San Diego Chargers 12/1 Baltimore Ravens 14/1 Tennessee Titans 16/1 Carolina Panthers 18/1 Philadelphia Eagles 18/1 New Orleans Saints 20/1 Atlanta Falcons 25/1 Denver Broncos 25/1 Green Bay Packers 25/1 Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1 Minnesota Vikings 25/1 New York Jets 25/1 Arizona Cardinals 30/1 Chicago BearS 30/1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1 Buffalo Bills 35/1 Houston TexaNS 35/1 Miami Dolphins 35/1 Washington Redskins 35/1 Seattle SeahawkS 50/1 Cleveland Browns 55/1 Cincinnati Bengals 60/1 San Francisco 49ers 60/1 Oakland Raiders 75/1 St. Louis Rams 75/1 Detroit Lions 100/1 Kansas City Chiefs 100/1 Odds as of: 2/2/09 Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs. |
|
