Archive for July, 2009
It was reported today that Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz were two of the players that tested positive for performance enhancing drugs in 2003. This is big news because Manny and Ortiz were two big reasons that the Red Sox finally won a World Series after a long drought. According to the report, when David Ortiz was asked about the 2003 test, he responded: “I’m not talking about that anymore,” and said “I have no comment.” While it is sad news does it really surprise anyone? Manny has recently served a suspension for using banned substances and David Ortiz has been in one of the worst slumps in his career and many were speculating it was because he was coming off steroids. The real question maybe does anyone still care? The fans of baseball have been over saturated with reports of players using all types of substances to try and get better as a player or recover from injuries. We have been through the drama of Roger Clemens in the court house and Rafael Palmeiro wagging his finger on Capitol Hill. This is just another sad example of how the drugs dominate the sport and perhaps may have put an asterisk over a decade of baseball. It won’t be long before this becomes less and less of an issue and people forgive the players that used and they vote them into the hall of fame.
Montreal Alouettes (4-0) at Edmonton Eskimos (2-2) Opening Line: Montreal – 6.5 , Total 54.5 The Edmonton Eskimos get their second chance at the Montreal Aloulettes on Thursday and they are hoping it goes a lot better than the last time when they were routed 50-16. The Eskimos got a nice 38-33 comeback win last week against Saskatchewan as they had 140 rushing yards. They may need a similar amount of yards on the ground to win against Montreal. “In order for us to be effective, we have to be able to effectively run the football,” Eskimos head coach Richie Hall said. “That opens up everything for us. It allows our offensive line to be aggressive. It takes pressure off our receivers and our quarterback and it makes the opposition have to defend the whole play book”. The ability to run the ball will be a big key for Edmonton as they look to keep Anthony Calvillo and the Montreal offense off the field. “Keeping our defense rested, putting together long drives, time of possession, all of that is important,” offensive coordinator Rick Worman said. “Montreal is a good football team. The more times they get their hands on the ball, the more opportunities they have to score. The biggest thing is to be unpredictable. Then you have a chance to be an offensive team and not a team that’s one-dimensional.” Calvillo needs just 34 yards on Thursday to reach 60,000 in his career. “This is a positive thing,” Calvillo said, “To be so close to 60,000 is going to be special. To be able to play for so many years and stay healthy, but you’ve got to be able to be on a good team. You’re not going to be able to do this by just by going out there. You need to be surrounded by great talent, no matter who you are.” Here are the CFL Betting stats for Thursday’s game. The Alouettes are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games. The Alouettes are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 meetings in Edmonton. The Eskimos are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games. The Eskimos are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Current Line: Montreal – 6.5 , Total 54.5 The Over is 8-2 in the Eskimos last 10 games in July. The Over is 4-1 in the Eskimos last 5 games overall. The Over is 9-3 in the Eskimos last 12 home games. The Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Edmonton between the two teams. Pick: Edmonton
Thursday, 9:00 pm Eastern – TSN
Tags: CFL, Edmonton Eskimos, football, Montreal Alouettes, sports
All three winners of this year’s Triple Crown races will be in action on the weekend at two different tracks. Three big graded stakes totaling $2.5 million have attracted some top 3-year-olds to Mountaineer, Saratoga and Monmouth. On Saturday, Kentucky Derby champ Mine That Bird goes in the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer. The 40th renewal at 1 1/8 miles is valued at $750,000. It will be the son of Birdstone’s first outing in eight weeks since running third to Summer Bird in the Belmont Stakes. No horse has crossed the wire on top in Mountaineer’s premier events off such a lengthy layoff. Mine That Bird “had three hard races back-to-back (he ran second to Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness) and we wanted to give him plenty of time to settle and build up again,” said trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr. There was a time when one to three weeks between races was considered a sufficient break, “but modern training methods have changed,” said Mark Patterson, assistant racing secretary at Mountaineer. “An eight-week regimen comprised of only workouts and gallops means we were the primary objective for Mine That Bird.” On Monday, the gelding breezed four furlongs in 49 4/5. “He was really sharp, we got just about exactly what we wanted out of him,” Wooley said. The previous best Kentucky Derby finisher in the Grade 2 was Hudson County, second to Cannonade in 1974, who ran sixth. Outside of Wooley’s horse, the field isn’t very strong except for Big Drama, winning six of nine career starts. The son of Montbrook finished fifth in the Preakness, but rebounded with a seven-length victory in the seven-furlong Red Legend Stakes at Charles Town on June 20. On Sunday, Big Drama posted a bullet breeze of 49 seconds for a half-mile at Monmouth before being vanned to West Virginia. On Saturday, Saratoga features the $500,000 Jim Dandy that recognizes the 100-1 upset winner of ’30 Triple Crown champ Gallant Fox in the Travers. The Grade 2 at 1 1/8 miles is the main prep for the historic Aug. 29 event, oldest stakes race for 3-year-olds in the nation. The top three finishers in the Dwyer, headed by trainer Steve Asmussen’s Kensei, will take on likely favorite Charitable Man, fourth to Belmont States winner Summer Bird. Meanwhile, Summer Bird goes Sunday in the 42nd renewal of the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth. Another son of Birdstone faces Preakness champ Rachel Alexandra in the 1 1/8-mile contest. Horses that hit the board in seven of the past dozen Triple Crown events captured the Haskell, including four that scored at least once. Three won two Triple Crown legs: Big Brown, ’08 Derby and Preakness; War Emblem, ’02 Derby and Preakness; and Point Given, ’01 Preakness and Belmont. Rachel Alexandra worked Monday at Saratoga, breezing a half-mile in 49 1/5. It was the fourth consecutive Monday breeze on the Oklahoma training track. On July 20, the daughter of Medaglia d’ Oro went six furlongs in a bullet 1:13 4/5 and galloped out seven furlongs in 1:27 2/5. “She does things so easily,” Scott Blasi, Asmussen’s assistant, said after that breeze. “She has settled in here perfectly, she has put on weight and she is a picture of health. We’re right on target for the Haskell.” Summer Bird put in his final work on Sunday, breezing five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 on a muddy Monmouth surfaces. “He had a good strong work and he galloped out strong,” trainer Tim Ice said. “Everything was great. I couldn’t be happier.” Other starters in the seven-horse field are Arkansas Derby winner Papa Clem, fourth in the Derby and sixth in the Preakness; Long Branch victor Atomic Rain, 16th in the Derby; Munnings, who whipped older horses in Belmont’s Tom Fool; Duke of Mischief, winner of Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows; and Bunker Hill, runner-up to Big Drama in the Red Legend, who won twice last year at Monmouth.
Tags: Haskell Headlines, kentucky derby, mine that bird, saratoga, triple crown, west virginia derby
Vick can take part in practices, team meetings and preseason games but will have to wait until October to play regular season games. Like all arrests in the NFL and player suspensions there are plenty of opinions on what have should have happened to Vick. I for one applaud the commissioner for this move and think it works on all levels and for everyone involved. The league also announced that former Bucs and Colts coach Tony Dungy has agreed to work as an advisor and mentor to Vick. This will give Michael Vick some clout with someone as classy as Tony Dungy on his side and may just convince a team to take a shot on him. Here are the teams that I think will take a shot at Vick. The Falcons, Jets, Cowboys, and the Giants came out and said they don’t want any part of the troubled QB but who will? San Francisco 49ers-The 49ers have been on the verge of being a playoff team but have had problems with the QB position. They could slowly get Vick into playing shape and give him a shot if the usual QB’s in SF flop. New England Patriots-Well Tom Brady is the man so Vick would get limited playing time and they could give him plenty of time to work into a system. Bill Belichick has a reputation for molding troubled players like Randy Moss and making them stars again. Tampa Bay Bucs-Tony Dungy has some roots in Tampa Bay and the QB spot down there is not exactly settled. He got talk management into giving Vick a shot with the promise that Dungy could keep him in check. Oakland Raiders-Why not? He is the perfect character for the team and the fans and Al Davis has the rocks to pull it off. Minnesota Vikings-Since they did not get Brett Favre, Michael Vick could have a shot at playing in purpl. Regardless where he plays it will be interesting to see how that team handles the negative press and Michael Vick handles himself as he returns to the NFL.
Here we go again. Another athlete is being accused of sexual assault. This story rings awful familiar to the one that Kobe Bryant dealt with years ago. According to a civil suit filed recently Roethlisberger is being accused of sexual assault dating back to July of last year. I am not taking sides on this one mainly because I don’t know the facts and I don’t the story behind it. Here is what is being reported so far. The complaint filed by Andrea McNulty in Nevada provides specific accusations against Ben Roethlisberger, including details of the alleged rape. McNulty, on concierge duty, arrived at Roethlisberger’s hotel room to fix a sound problem with his television. As she tried to exit the room, she claims that Roethlisberger blocked her path and started to kiss her. McNulty says she then protested his physical advances and added, “You don’t want to do this.” Roethlisberger responded by allegedly forcing himself upon her and afterward asked if there were cameras in the room. When McNulty answered in the affirmative, she claims that Roethlisberger became very stern and said: “If anyone asks you, you fixed my television. You fixed my television. Now go!” Roethlisberger, through his attorney, is vigorously denying the allegations. Anyway you look at it this is bad news for the Steelers. If this case is bogus and she is trying to get money then this turns into a distortion for the entire organization. If he actually committed the assault then the consequences can be much worse and he may be facing jail time. Either way it is a tough spot for the organization and the fans. The super bowl odds have yet to drop but as this case develops do not be surprised to see the odds on the Steelers repeating start to drop. No word as of yet on his official blog.
Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, Roethlisberger
MLB Teams to Watch in the second half With the second half upon us, it is easy to focus on the front runners but there are some teams that have great value right now and have yet to be looked at seriously. Playing these teams now can be very profitable in the right spot. Houston Astros: Houston is just 3 games back as the writing of this article. With two solid starting pitchers in Oswalt and Rodriquez the Astros can play with anyone. They currently are proving that by the way they are playing in the recent series against the Dodgers. The oldest team in baseball has experience and can put a run together in the second half. Seattle Mariners: The Mariners are just four games back and they are flying under the radar with LA and Texas fighting for the lead. They have some solid starting pitching and they are getting a surprising year from Gutierrez and can stay in the pennant race. Atlanta Braves: The braves are 6.5 games out but they do have solid pitching and they have Bobby Cox. With the most games in division in the second half of the year they should be able to control their destiny in the division. They will make a run at the East and will be in the wildcard race.
Chicago White Sox: The White Sox have crept to just 1.5 games behind the division leading Tigers. The pitching can be trouble at times but they play well on the road and that is a key in baseball. They have flown under the radar sandwiched between Detroit and the Twins but are always worth a look.
Tags: Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, mlb, Seattle Mariners
This seems to be the time of year for rumors in almost every sport. Since I like to rant about recent sports topics why not rumors? Let’s get started in baseball. Last at the home run derby Cy young award winner and Toronto Blue Jay ace, Roy Halladay talked about the possibility of being traded. He professed his love for his current team but added that he would be open to a move to a major market in the National League. Are you listening Philladelphia Phillies? They were obviously not. It was reported today that Pedro Martinez in on the verge of signing with the Philadelphia Philles.. Okay not a bad addition and maybe he will give you a few games and do well, but Roy Halladay is a much better than catch. Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay would be a great one-two punch and make the Phillies a chance to repeat. It would be a shame if Philly balked and he ended up in St. Louis and it came back to haunt them. In the NBA it was reported that Allen Iverson will sign with the LA Clippers. The only catch is that the Clippers want to talk to A.I. face-to-face about coming off the bench. This is a good move by the Clippers by asking to meet with him and he may actually do okay in LA. It’s sad to see that no team wants Iverson but it would seem he has brought it on himself. It would be better to see him finish his career playing off the bench with a shot at a ring, but I don’t see it. In Minnesota, New York, and Spain the Ricky Rubio saga continues. Timberwolves president David Kahn is doing everything he can to keep Rubio in Minnesota He is working with Rubio’s agent Dan Fegan and on a buyout from DKV Joventut of the Spanish ACB League which is believed to be in the 4-5 million dollar range. I don’t think that Rubio realizes the young talent base that the wolves have and I believe they would be a playoff team if he did indeed sign on and play in the Twin Cities. Although he fits into the system in New York I would rather see him play where he was drafted. If he goes to New York he could be looking at a bigger market and more fanfare but it’s clear that Ricky Rubio has a huge following and is very marketable wherever he will go. It will take some time with the complicated buyout but David Kahn is taking his situation and his family into account and handling it very well. “I don’t feel any pressure on behalf of the organization and we don’t feel any need to put pressure on anybody. What we did was the right thing to do, I truly believe that. And I believe it was the right thing for the entire organization,” Kahn added. One thing for sure is Ricky Rubio is going to be a star in this league it just will be a matter of time before we figure out where that will be.
Tags: A.I., All-Star game, Allen Iverson, Blake Griffin, DKV Joventut of the Spanish ACB League, LA clippers, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, MLB Rumors, MLB trade rumors, NBA Rumors, NBA Trade rumors, New York Knicks, Pedro Martinez, Philladelphia Phillies, Ricky Rubio, Ricky Rubio Rumors, Roy Halladay, Roy Halladay Rumors, sports rumors, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays
MLB All-Star Game SBG Global Opening Line: American - 110 , Total 9.5 Flat The National League will try and end the American League’s recent dominance in the All-Star game as the teams meet on Tuesday night in St. Louis. The American League is 11-0-1 in the last 12 All-Star games. Since 2003, the winner of the game has received home field advantage in the World Series although that advantage hasn’t meant much as the leagues have split the last six World Series. Bookmaker reports that early MLB Betting has the public taking American on the Road. Toronto’s Roy Halladay is the American League starter. He is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA. Halladay was picked by American League manager Joe Maddon over Kansas City’s Zack Grienke who actually has better numbers. “It’s very difficult to pick that one guy,” Maddon said, “It’s not an easy decision to make. Based on this season and the body of work, I thought he deserved the nod.” Halladay is the third different Blue Jay to start an All-Star Game, joining David Wells in 2000 and Dave Stieb in 1983 and ‘84. The American League lineup has Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki leading off followed by New York’s Derek Jeter, Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, New York’s Mark Teixeira, Boston’s Jason Bay, Texas’s Josh Hamilton, Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria, Toronto’s Aaron Hill and Halladay. Florida’s Hanley Ramirez leads off for the National League followed by Philadelphia’s Chase Utley, Pujols, Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, Philadelphia’s Raul Ibanez, New York’s David Wright, Philadelphia’s Shane Victorino, Yadier Molina of St. Louis and Lincecum. SBG Global Current Line: American - 113 , Total 9.5 Under – 115 The American League has won the last six All-Star Games, including last year’s 4-3 win in 15 innings. The last time the MLB Betting National League won was in 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. Pick: National
Tuesday, 8:20 pm Eastern – Fox
The National League has two things going for them this year as they try and break the American League’s winning streak. They have the best player in baseball in Albert Pujols and they have the best pitcher in the game in Tim Lincecum on the mound. Pujols is hitting .332 (fourth in the NL) with 32 homers and 87 RBIs (both lead the majors). Lincecum is 10-2 with a 2.33 ERA this season. Last season he missed out on the All-Star game due to illness but this year he gets the start. “This is obviously a great accomplishment for me,” Lincecum told MLB.com, “I’m just excited to be a member of this team again.” Lincecum leads the league in strikeouts with 149. Lincecum will be the fifth different San Francisco Giants pitcher to start an All-Star Game. Jason Schmidt started in 2003, while Rick Reuschel started the 1989 game and Vida Blue started in 1978. Juan Marichal started in 1965 and in 1967.
Tags: All-Star, baseball, mlb, sports
The best golfers in the world will tee it up in Turnberry, Scotland this Thursday at the British Open. The Open Championship as it is popularly called is the only major on the PGA Tour not played on U.S soil. However, the Open Championships offers one of the most historic spectacles in sports. The British Open dates back to 1860 making it one of the oldest and prestigious events in golf. The open links courses are known for the extremely deep bunkers and wide open layout. Turnberry has hosted 3 previous British Open Championships dating back to 1977. The Ailsa Course will be the sight of this year’s venue which measures at 7,204 yards on the par 70 course. The course has been rumored to not be as challenging in years past giving up two winning 72 hole scores at an impressive 12 under par by Tom Watson and Nick Price. However, this year the course has seen 21 additional bunkers and lengthened to make it difficult for the best golfers in the world. The question is who will be able to have their name inscribed on the Claret Jug given to the winner of every British Open? For the lastest British open odds click here – Signup now and get $100 Free Play Cash with a $250 deposit using Bonus Code BM100 One of the PGA’s biggest names will not make the trip across seas for the 3rd major of the season. Phil Mickelson withdrew from the event as he will stay home with his wife who is battling breast cancer. However, the tour will host all the other top names in the sport fighting for one of the richest prizes in golf. Tiger Woods will of course be the big favorite to win his 4th Open Championship. Woods won his last event entered leading up to the British Open in the AT&T National. The win was Tiger’s 3rd victory of the season, but perhaps the most impressive. The reason it may have been more impressive than the final round 65 at the Memorial or the win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational is because Woods finally looked like he was finally getting his swing back. Tiger looked more in control of not only his drives, but mainly his irons in the AT&T National and that could be scary on a course that does not require the accuracy off the tee that most major championships require. Woods will be a huge 7/4 favorite to win the event and record his 15th major of his career. One player who really performs well on the links courses is Padraig Harrington. Despite struggling throughout the season, Harrington has won the last two Open Championships. Harrington could become the first golfer since Peter Thomson (1954-56) to win 3 consecutive British Opens. However, Harrington has been anything but impressive this season missing 4 of the last 5 cuts. Still Harrington will be receiving 22/1 odds to win the event this season. Other players who could be a factor include Englishman Paul Casey, Kenny Perry, and perhaps youngster Rory McIlroy. Casey has played well all season and won earlier this season at the Shell Houston Open. Casey will sport 25/1 odds to win his first major this weekend. Perry has won twice this season including a runner-up finish at the Masters and will come into the event as 50/1 long shot. Also, the young 19 year old Rory McIlroy has played very solid over the last few weeks including a top 10 finish at the U.S Open. McIlroy has caught many people’s attention since he is so young, but exploding with talent. Surprisingly, McIlroy will be as big a favorite as any outside of Tiger to win the event holding at 22/1 odds. One wily veteran will also likely be lurking around the top of the leader board this weekend. 54 year old Greg Norman is one of the best players in the world in the Open Events. Norman shocked many onlookers last year at the British Open finishing 3rd at 53 years young. Norman is no stranger to Scotland either considering he won the 2nd British Open played at Turnberry back in 1986. However, the line makers do not have near as much faith in Norman as we might consider placing him as a huge underdog at 250/1 odds. Considering how well Norman plays across seas, it may be worth a small bet. David Duvall is another long forgotten name that could take center stage this weekend. Duvall who nearly fell out of the sport following the peak of his career back in the late 90s, came out of nowhere to post a 2nd place runner-up finish at the U.S Open. Duval is always a threat when he is swinging the club well and is also a previous winner of the British Open. (2001) Duval is another veteran who will be another sizeable underdog receiving 100/1 betting odds. It would be a huge headline if one of these two players could emerge to take home the 2009 British Open, but winning at the Open Championship is a headline in itself.
Tags: British Open, Golf, Open Championship, PGA, PGA Tour, Tiger Woods
Home Run Derby Preview The 2009 Home Run Derby on Monday will feature a number of top home run hitters including local favorite Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. Pujols leads the league in home runs while San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez is second. Gonzalez is also in the contest along with Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder, Texas’ Nelson Cruz, Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena and Detroit’s Brandon Inge. While the list may not seem imposing other than Pujols it is very representative of the league leaders. Pujols leads the National League and is the favorite in Home Run Derby odds while Gonzalez is second and Howard and Fielder are tied for fifth. Pena leads the American League with Cruz second and Inge tied for fourth. Howard won the Home Run Derby in 2006 while Pujols was the runner-up to Garret Anderson in the 2003 event. Current HR Derby Homerun Odds from Bookmaker Sportsbook ALBERT PUJOLS +180 Many of the players around baseball didn’t want to compete in the Home Run Derby because they fear it will mess up their swing but not Minnesota’s Joe Mauer. “I just think it’s a great event,” Mauer said. “Home Run Derby — I always told my buddies when we were younger — we always played it in the back yard and stuff like that. I always told them, if I ever had the opportunity to do it, I would jump at it, and it happened this year.” Mauer is one of the few people not worried that his swing will be affected. “I don’t think one night will affect your swing for the rest of the season,” Mauer said. “It might be a little tiring, but as far as mechanically, I don’t think so.” Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz is not worried about messing up his swing either. “I hear people say that,” Cruz said. “It’s just like taking BP for me. I always do better the second half [of the season]. I don’t know why. I work a lot harder, trying to keep myself strong until the end of the season. I don’t worry about it.” Cruz’s teammate Josh Hamilton finished second last year and Cruz thinks he has a shot this year. “I think I have a chance,” Cruz said, “I don’t expect to hit 20 homers like Josh.” Pena was added to the All-Star roster as a late replacement for Dustin Pedroia and was the final person added to the MLB Betting Home Run Derby. He is excited to be a part of it. “It’s just a cool thing,” Pena aid. “That’s the best way to describe it. It would be so cool.” Our Pick to win the HR derby is: Adrian Gonzalez!
Monday, 8:00 pm Eastern – ESPN
RYAN HOWARD +275
ADRIAN GONZALEZ +500
JOE MAUER +850
PRINCE FIELDER +350
NELSON CRUZ +800
BRANDON INGE +1000
CARLOS PENA +600 .
Tags: adrian gonzalez, albert pujols, All-Star game, allstar, baseball, betting, mlb, ryan howard
