Ryan Theriot, Meet Steve Bartman
October 3, 2008
Ryan Theriot, meet Steve Bartman. Obviously, two guys have some differences. One of you plays professional baseball, the other doesn’t. But what you guys have in common is that both of you made some pretty bad mistakes during Chicago Cubs postseason games.
Yesterday, in Game 2 of the NLDS, where plenty of people had money on the Cubs for Cubs vs Dodgers lines, the Theriot didn’t bunt over Alfonso Soriano in the first inning to give his team a chance to take an early lead and then later committed two crucial errors that led to a grand slam, and a Dodgers 10-3 loss.
The Riot might cause one and is going to be the scapegoat here, like it or not. He made mistakes and is now the next chapter in the Chicago Cubs curse/mental playoff failures. The Cubs are about to be wiped off the board for World Series odds and quite frankly, a lot of their fans should be on suicide watch.
One Game Down, Who Do You Like To Win The World Series?
October 2, 2008
So the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels – the two favorites to win each League – lost their opening game of the playoffs. Are you panicking yet or are you sticking with your World Series picks?
It’s only a five-game series, which means that if you don’t bring your A game, you’ll watching on TV like the rest of us real quick. The Angels and Cubs have already given up home-field advantage.
While I’m concerned about the Cubs, because they do this whenever they get to October, I’m less concerned about the Angels, who had opportunities yesterday but were just victims of sharp defense.
My World Series picks are Boston-Los Angeles, how does that sound?
What Sports I’m Betting On This Weekend
October 1, 2008
Ohio State vs Wisconsin betting
Wisconsin has yet to lose at Camp Randall under their new head coach Bret Bielema. That won’t happen this week.
Florida State vs Miami betting
Florida State at Miami – not exactly what it used to be. I like Miami at home.
After USC lost last Thursday in Oregon State…good luck Oregon.
This one, I’ll just sit back and enjoy the regular way.
*We now pause for station identification and for the irrelevant chic pic.
Phillies were here last year; Brewers are happy to be here.
Cubs in October? Don’t they generally crumble under pressure.
I’ll take a shot with the underdog White Sox on the series after Javier Vazquez blows Game One.
You didn’t think this would be one of the better Week Five matchups but it is. I like the Buccaneers to keep it close.
Another NFC East matchup – it’s like the SEC of the NFL. Redskins are overrated and Eagles are more desperate for the win.
It’s Monday Night Football – of course I’ll have action on the game. Leaning with the Vikings and the points.
What Are You Betting Today?
July 23, 2008
Last Wednesday was the quietest day of the sporting year. This Wednesday, there’s plenty of places to get your action in, albeit some of it Canadian themed.
-There’s plenty of MLB day games, for some reason. The Minnesota Twins will try to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees at 1:05 PM ET. The Los Angeles Angels will try to win their rubber match with the Cleveland Indians, who send lefty Aaron Laffey to the bump against John Lackey. The Angels are 17-6 against lefties this season and 19-6 in day games.
-If golf interests you, the RBC Canadian Open kicks off tomorrow. No Canadian has won the tournament since about 1950, but with only four golfers from the top 20 showing up, maybe the streak ends.
Mike Weir is the highest priced Canadian at +1600 while Jim Furyk is the overall favorite at +700.
-The ATP will feature both of its top players as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal step onto the court tonight at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, Canada.
Light Thursday Card; Some MLB Trends & Picks
July 17, 2008
The second half of the MLB season kicks off tonight and with four games on the schedule, you can get back to betting on normal sports. For the record, I’m 4-1 in my last five rock, paper scissors predictions.
NY Mets (51-44, 23-26 away) @ Cincinnati (46-50, 26-19 home)
-Mets 9-1 in last 10
-Mets 1-6 in Johan Santana’s last six starts
-Reds starter Johnny Cueto: 5-3, 4.08 ERA at home; 2-6, 5.48 ERA on the road
San Diego (37-58, 14-28 away) @ St. Louis (53-43, 26-21 home)
-Kyle Lohse: 8-0, 2.18 ERA in last 10 starts; Cards 9-1 in his last 10 starts
-Jake Peavy: 4-3, 1.45 ERA at home; 3-2, 4.41 ERA on the road
-St. Louis is 27-9 vs SD in last 36 at home
Detroit (47-47, 19-27 away) @ Baltimore (45-48, 25-16 home)
-Baltimore 25-16 at home; 1-7 in last 8 games; 9-15 against lefties this season
-Garrett Olson: 3-0, 4.28 ERA at home; 3-4, 6.81 ERA on the road
-Tigers are 22-6 in last 28 as a favorite
I kind of like the Cardinals tonight, but I’ll take the under in that game instead. Maybe a light bet on the Reds.
Statutory Holiday For Sports Bettors?
July 16, 2008
The MLB All-Star game is done. Tennis, hockey and basketball are quiet. Football training camps are just about to get started.
Hardcore gamblers don’t usually take days off, but this is arguably the slowest sports betting day of the year. Go out – go do social things with people, and stuff. We’ll declare this a statutory holiday for bettors.
But as we all know, hardcore bettors don’t take days off. So we’ve got you covered for things to bet outside of picking the over/under for the amount of fights there were to play the role of the female in this production:
Over/under is set at 47, by the way.
In all seriousness, here are a list of things you can bet on tonight not including any local dog/chicken fights:
WNBA, Tour de France (if you hurry), British Open (starts tomorrow), Olympic Basketball qualifying, Mexican League baseball and Swedish Allsvenskan, which is soccer.
Yes, it is a slow day.
The good news is that cards never take the day off so get that deck with the half nude women on the back and get to gambling.
