MLB Betting – With Ramirez Back In Lineup, Dodgers Head To San Diego

The Bay Area typically presents some great matchups on the NFL odds but this year, there won’t be any California teams factoring too much on the Super Bowl odds. Instead, we’ll get the baseball version of the Bay Area matchup as the Los Angeles Dodgers – with Manny Ramirez back in the lineup – will head to San Diego for a weekend series.

San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, 4:10 PM ET

Randy Wolf vs Josh Geer

Randy Wolf will take the mound for the Dodgers on Saturday and sports betting sharps should take note that he has actually pitched better on the road this season than away. At home, Wolf is 0-1 with a 4.04 ERA but on the road, he’s 3-2 with a 3.09 ERA. Wolf has a sparkling WHIP of 1.18, which shows that he’s really keeping runners off the base paths, but that low number drops even further, to 1.12 when he’s on the road.

He’ll take on Josh Geer, who has been up and down this year.

Geer has yet to post an ERA lower than 5.10 in anything month and finished June with an ERA of 6.46.

The good news is that he’s been semi-reliable over his last three starts (4.26 ERA over that span).

Baseball pick: Dodgers

San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers

Sunday, 4:05 PM ET

Chad Billingsley vs Josh Banks

The Dodgers will send their ace, Chad Billingsley to the mound on Sunday as he aims for his 10th win of the season. He’ll take on Josh Banks, who will be making just his second start of the season.

The 26-year-old Banks did last seven innings in his first start on Tuesday and gave up just three earned runs. On the season, though, there is too little of a sample to gauge just how effective he really is.

Billingsley, on the other hand, is the Dodgers unquestioned ace. So far this season, he is 3-1 on the road with a 2.85 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting just .217 against him when he’s away from home.

Billingsley has three starts against the Padres this year and all three have resulted in wins. He’s allowed just 14 hits in 18.2 innings pitched while allowing seven runs in that time (3.38 ERA).

Sports pick: Dodgers

NFL Suspends 4 Games to Calvin Pace for Drugs

The NFL announced Thursday it suspended four games of regular season to the support of the New York Jets, Calvin Pace, for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

The graduate of Wake Forest, who in the 2008 season ranked second in catches of field marshal of the Jets to seven, said in a statement issued by the New York franchise of a dietary supplement that is the cause of which has a positive to a drug test.

"This situation was due to a dietary supplement that contains a substance that I did not know the policy violated the league," said Pace.

"I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the guidelines of the league. I regret that this has happened and I apologize to my colleagues and the entire organization of the Jets. I hope this does not distract us from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl, "the player 28 years of age.

The native of Detroit, Michigan, is eligible to return to the active roster of the Jets on Monday, October 5, after your computer has, the day before, played against the Saints in New Orleans.

The former player of the Arizona Cardinals can participate in all preseason practices and games of the Jets.

Antonio Valencia Four Years Contract With Manchester United

Manchester United signed on Tuesday to end Ecuador's Antonio Valencia Wigan with a contract for four years.

The footballer of 23 years is the first signing of holiday Technician Alex Ferguson, who has at his disposal the $ 132 million that Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ferguson hopes that the Ecuadorian fill the void left by the departure of the Portuguese star.

Anthony is a player we have admired for quite some time, after spending the last two seasons in the Premier League with Wigan. I am sure that his pace and skill will be an important contribution to the team, Ferguson said.

There were no financial details of the transfer, although the UK press the Red Devils paid 17 million pounds (30 million dollars) for the steering wheel.

Valence sum four goals in 34 matches with the selection of Ecuador.

Getting to Manchester United is a dream come true, said Valencia. I enjoyed my time at Wigan, but I am delighted to have the opportunity to find here the highest honors in football odds.

It will be a great experience playing against 76,000 fans with players like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs. I can not wait to get started.

Toronto Argonauts vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats Betting Odds

Ivor Wynne Stadium has a Week 1 contest on tap for Wednesday as the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats play their season openers.

Oddsmakers currently have the Tiger-Cats listed as 2-point favorites versus the Argonauts, while the game's total is sitting at 50½.

2008 team records:
Toronto: 4-14 SU, 6-11-1 ATS

Hamilton: 3-15 SU, 6-11-1 ATS

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Hamilton

Toronto is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing Hamilton

Toronto is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Hamilton

Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Hamilton

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Hamilton's last 5 games when playing Toronto

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Hamilton's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto

Hamilton is 3-7-1 ATS in its last 11 games

Hamilton is 5-17 ATS in its last 22 games when playing Toronto

Next up:
Toronto home to Saskatchewan, Saturday, July 11

Hamilton at British Columbia, Friday, July 10

PGA Betting – AT&T National Preview

Just because British Open golf odds aren’t here yet doesn’t mean there aren’t important tournaments to bet on in the meantime. This week, it’s Tiger’s tournament on the schedule – the AT&T National. The field is set and it’s not amazingly strong, but there are still a few golfers set to challenge the host, including last year’s winner.

The favorite, as always, will be Mr. Tiger Woods. He missed his own tourney last season due to injury, of course, but placed sixth in 2007. He still has to get his driving under control, but there’s simply no way he doesn’t contend this week.

The next man to consider at your offshore sportsbook has to be Anthony Kim. He won the AT&T National last season and, while he’s been somewhat of a bust after all the hype entering 2009, he’s quietly playing much better of late, as his last two tournaments (the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship) yielded his best finishes since the first week of the season. If he’s sticking his approaches the way he can, he’ll be in the hunt until the end.

Hunter Mahan can’t be ignored either. He’s established a new personal skill level, seemingly hanging around the top of the leaderboard more and more. His last six tournaments yield an interesting trend: 72nd, 45th, 27th, 14th, 6th, 4th. He’s improving every week, so you have to think he’s on the cusp of a victory. He’ll offer good value so you have to consider him one of the best online sports picks this weekend.

What a year it’s been for Lucas Glover. He’s more than just the U.S. Open champ too; what most bettors probably don’t realize is that he has two other top-three finishes on tour this season. He stayed hot with a very respectable 11th last week, and impressive finish given that the U.S. Open went five days the week before and should’ve tired him out. If you want to ride the hot hand, you could do worse than Glover.

In the “due” category is Jim Furyk. He hasn’t won since 2007 but has flirted with victory on and off all year, posting three straight top-10s before slipping to 33rd at the U.S. Open. He won’t be intimidated no matter whom he’s paired with – even if it’s Tiger – so he’s a solid sleeper.

Best betting management pick: Anthony Kim. Tiger is tempting but he still has some tweaking to do before the British Open. Kim is heating up and a return to his stomping grounds of 2008 should do wonders for his confidence.

Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics Betting Odds

The Detroit Tigers and the Oakland Athletics will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

The Tigers will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Rick Porcello in this game. Porcello has a 8-4 record and a 3.55 ERA this season.

Porcello's opponent in this one will be Brett Anderson. The Athletics lefthander has a 5.74 ERA to go along with a 3-7 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Tigers listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Athletics, while the game's total is sitting at 9.

The Tigers defeated Houston 4-3 as a -135 favorite on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (8.5).

Brandon Inge hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning for Detroit and Curtis Granderson was 3-4 with a solo homer in the win.

The Athletics lost to Colorado 3-1 as a -110 favorite on Sunday. The four runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (8.5).

Ryan Sweeney was 3-4 with an RBI for Oakland and Vin Mazzaro allowed three runs on five hits in five innings.

A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games

Detroit is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Oakland

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Oakland

The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Detroit's last 15 games on the road

Oakland is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Detroit

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland's last 7 games

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland's last 7 games at home

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games when playing Detroit

Next up:
Oakland home to Detroit, Tuesday, June 30

MLB Betting - Washington Nationals vs. Baltimore Orioles Odds

The Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Camden Yards.

Shairon Martis will be the starting pitcher for the Nationals on this day. Righthander Martis is 5-2 this season with a 5.13 ERA.

Martis's opponent in this one will be Jeremy Guthrie. The Orioles ace righthander has a 5.09 ERA to go along with a 5-7 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Orioles listed as 190-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game's total is sitting at 10½.

The Orioles scored eight runs in the sixth inning as they defeated the Nationals 11-1 on Friday, as -160 favorites. That game's 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (10).

Melvin Mora led the way with four RBIs for the Orioles, Aubrey Huff drove in three runs. Brad Bergesen tossed six innings for the win, allowing four hits and one run.

Josh Bard drove in the only run for the Nationals, who were +140 underdogs. Ross Detwiler gave up nine hits and five runs over five innings in the loss.

A few trends to consider:
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Baltimore

Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

Washington is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games on the road

Baltimore is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

Baltimore is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington

Baltimore is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games

Next up:
Baltimore home to Washington, Sunday, June 28

UFC 100 Betting – Lesnar To Get His Revenge

Now that the UFC 100 odds are up, the main

A lot people think that this UFC fight card might be the best of all time, which is definitely up for debate. Aside from seeing Brock Lesnar fight Frank Mir, and George St. Pierre versus Thiago Alves (no relation to the tennis player), and Dan Henderson squaring off with Michael Bisping, there’s actually still more attractions on the card.

A lot of people want to see how Jon Jones – one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars – fares in his first fight since crushing Stephan Bonner.

This could be the most star-studded event since we examined the Super Bowl odds back in February, so let’s examine the main fight and make a pick:

Frank Mir vs Brock Lesnar

Odds: Lesnar -250

The sportsbooks are sending a pretty clear message by making Lesnar such a clear favorite: they don’t think Frank Mir can win.

It might be hard to argue with them because they usually know what they are doing and secondly, there is a good pedigree for picking Lesnar to win.

For starters, Lesnar dominated the first fight and only lost because he made a rookie mistake. As he was on top of Mir while the two were fight on the ground, Mir , the submission expert, caught a hold of Lesnar’s foot and submitted him.

The important note here is that it was Lesnar’s second-ever MMA fight at that time and he was fairly raw at that point.

He’s grown quite a bit since that time and has worked on his ground defense significantly.

When you look at how this fight will shape up, Mir’s main edge is trying to submit Lesnar, but you have to figure that Lesnar’s radar will be up after last time.

Secondly, you have to factor that Lesnar has improved as an MMA fighter overall. He has been training with fighters, has gained fight experience and has more knowledge than he did the first time around.

Standing, it would be pretty hard not to give Lesnar the edge because of the power his punches pack. And on the mat, Lesnar is a wrestling expert, so he has an edge there too.

As long as he doesn’t get caught in another submission, this fight is his to lose.

Sports Pick: Lesnar -250

Kansas City Decided to Remove the Uniform Number 58

It was an immortal character in the history of the Chiefs, but it was not until this year he was enthroned in the Hall of Fame in which the board of Kansas City decided to remove the uniform number 58 supportive of the late Derrick Thomas.

In August enters Canton.

Thomas, who died in a car accident frebreo 2000 to 33 years old, is considered one of the best linebackers in the history of the NFL and voters for the precinct of the immortals of Canton finally appointed to become a part the generation of 2009 in a ceremony to be held next August 8.

The Chiefs have scheduled a ceremony to honor Thomas for December 6 at the time of the party in Kansas City to receive the Denver Broncos, where his ring will also be presented as a member of the Hall of Fame Professional Football.

Was chosen the game against Denver, a traditional rival of the division of the "heads" so symbolic because Thomas was able to catch 14 in his career, at Arrowhead Stadium against the legendary Broncos quarterback John Elway, a member of the compound from Canton 2004.

For 11 seasons, Derrick Thomas served as one of the dreaded "head hunters" in the league. Imposed in 1990 the all-time record with seven catches in a game against the Seattle Seahawks.

126.5 joined catches of his career in 1989 when he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL-1999, in addition to being selected to nine Pro Bowls.

Estefan´s the New Owners of the Miami Dolphins

Emilio and Gloria Estefan purchased a minority share of the Miami Dolphins in what became the first people of Cuban-American to have a property in the NFL.

The news came during a press conference with Emilio and Gloria Estefan.

In a telephone interview with NFLatino.com, Emilio Estefan told us how he was given this purchase.

"Steve Ross (majority owned by the Dolphins) asked me," said Emilio Estefan. "For me, being the first Cuban-American who enters the football, which is one of the things that most Americans are in United States, I have always wanted to do things that leave history to the new Hispanic youth, my children and new Hispanics, this is the music that introduced a new sound, something new is implemented here, a new goal that is achieved for new Latinos in United States. "

The Dolphins have not reached a Super Bowl since January 20, 1985, the successful music producer who believes that is a party for him on set.

"So I grabbed me, so I came, I always have good luck."

With optimism and courage that characterize the Estefan, Emilio did not hesitate to give a prediction for next year's Miami Dolphins.

"I've always been a very positive person and I think that things in life can be achieved and has been my philosophy since I was a child. I was a poor immigrant and spent so much work without my family ... I always looked at the positive side of life, so my prediction is that at least we will reach the finals of the Super Bowl. "

Emilio Estefan for the team in South Florida not only means a collection of football.

"The Miami Dolphins mean the story of my life, I remember 1972 when they won the championship, I saw all the people playing the horn and I got to play the horn and is part of the history of what the American dream" .

Having a Latino owner in the "Dolphin" gives a new face to the franchise.

"Now we have a Latino presence, we have a voice for advocacy for events like the Latino Hispanic Heritage Week, to bring more Latinos to watch the football."

Gloria and Emilio Estefan are great friends of Dan Marino, ex querterback of the Dolphins, who see great strengths in Miami for the 2009 NFL season.

"Dan Marino told me the other day that how strong this team is just that, the team, which is very solid and has great confidence that it will be a very good team."

"The story continues to change and is a door that opens not only for Estefan, for achieving what the American dream and especially for immigrants."