National League Standings Suggest Heated Wild Card Race

September is fast approaching, Major League Baseball playoff races have begun to heat up. As such, the National League is home to a series of tight divisions and what?s shaping up to be an interesting wild card stretch.

In a perfect example of what fans of MLB betting have to look forward to in the coming weeks, this Monday the Atlanta Braves will host the reigning champion San Francisco Giants in a four-game set.

Though they won it all just last season, the Giants will have their work cut out for them ensuring that they give themselves the opportunity to repeat last year?s feat. According to Bodog's online sportsbook, they have 12/1 odds of winning the World Series.

Currently neck and neck with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West, the Giants will have to either take the outright lead of their division or settle for the league wild card.

For the Braves, however, that's unacceptable. Despite an admirable record, the Braves (and everyone else in the NL for that matter) currently trail the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies, effectively putting the division out of reach.

With that in consideration, Atlanta's sole hope for qualifying for the postseason in 2011 will be via the wild card spot - which they currently hold. You can imagine, then, that they'll be particularly committed to shoring up their bid for the berth against one of their biggest threats.

According to Bodog, the Braves have 15/1 odds of winning the World Series. Those may jump considerably as the National League fluctuates over the next two months.

Bodog is YOUR home for all the best baseball betting options.

National League Standings Suggest Heated Wild Card Race

NFL Retirement Rule: Why the “Brett Favre Rule” Should be Implemented

August 4, 2008

By: Dirty

The circus that Brett Favre created by backing out of his retirement has brought a black eye to the NFL, its fans, and the storied Green Bay Packers. The Circus that he has created needs to be addressed by Commissioner Goodell to make sure this disgrace to the game never happens again. There is a simple solution that I will get into in a minute. Below are my reasons why I believe this.

He gave a moving tearful speech a few weeks after the Super Bowl that brought tears to many. He retired the best way he could have other than winning a Super Bowl. He was adamant that he was done with football forever and was looking forward to spending time with his wife and kids. He even went as far as to tell Green Bay executives who flew to Mississippi to speak to him the night before the NFL Draft in April that they could move on. He was going to stay retired.

The Green Bay Packers, their fans and most importantly Aaron Rodgers took him at his word. The team prepared for life without Brett and drafted that way. They gave the reigns to the talented, but unproven, Rodgers and told him the team was his. The fans moved on the best they knew how and were ready to support Rodgers. Rodgers spent countless hours in mini-camp and extra work preparing for his new role as leader of the Packers. The Green Bay Packers and its fans were finally coming to grips that the legendary gunslinger was riding off into the Sunset with his next stop to be Canton, Ohio. What better way to go out by almost making it to the Super Bowl and Favre having a career year after 3 seasons where he was mediocre at best.
But Wait!!!! Favre was just pulling our legs… he didn’t mean the tear filled retirement…. He was forced into it by the Packers …. Blah, Blah, Blah….

Oh the Humanity that an NFL team wanted to know what Favre was going to do. It didn’t matter that Favre had held the Packers hostage the last 3 years telling them he didn’t know if he would play or not until right before the season. It didn’t that if he was not going to play the team had to draft with a different strategy. What he did was unfair to the coaches, management, and fans, but most importantly it was unfair to his teammates. They had to know who to stand behind. Would it be Favre or Rodgers? They just needed to know so they could prepare properly for the 2008-09’ NFL season. It is hard enough to win in the NFL in the salary cap ERA because lack of depth, but even more-so when you have to replace a legend.

As a former coach of college baseball prospects playing American Legion Baseball I personally had to go through this almost every summer. A couple of our players would graduate with a year of eligibility left. They would go on and play a season of College ball and still be eligible to play depending on their date of birth. We would literally not know if they were playing or not until the first of June, when our season started the 3rd weekend of May. It was hard on the coaches, players, and fans not knowing. If you know then you can prepare. It keeps everyone held Hostage.

The Circus that is going on in the NFL could be remedied very easily by the NFL implementing the “Brett Favre Rule”. The rule would simply state that when you go on TV and whine, cry and pour your heart out and give thanks to everyone this side of the Dalai Lama that you are done for one year. Once you announce your retirement publicly, or to team officials, you have 14 days to submit your retirement papers to the NFL Commissioners Office. If you submit the proper paperwork then you can be reinstated in 365 days if you pass your physical and the Commissioner approves. If you do not submit the paper work then you waive your right to reinstatement forever.

This would work in most cases, because most guys like Favre just don’t know what to do with their time when it is time to report to camp. It is what they have done their whole lives. Start playing football in August. Once you sit out a year you have had plenty of time to think things over and assess the situation.

If you don’t want to retire or can’t make up your mind, then you can be put on the physically unable to perform list until you do. That way the team is not responsible for your salary during your time of indecision.

Brett Favre and his childish behavior has disgraced himself, his family, the NFL, but most importantly the NFL and the Green Bay Packers family. He has put the Packers in a no win situation because no matter what they decide they are goats. The only suitable outcome would be for Rodgers to win the Super Bowl. Anything short of that then everyone would say “If we would have had Brett we would have (fill in the blank). I knew the management should have let him play”.

Now we have to put up with the Circus for a few more weeks and all just because Brett Favre is acting like the neighborhood kid that took his ball and went home because he didn’t get his way. Then when he found out everyone else moved on he got upset and is making them pay.

NFL Retirement Rule: Why the “Brett Favre Rule” Should be Implemented

The Colorado Rockies and the St. Louis Cardinals will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Busch Stadium.

Righthander Esmil Rogers will take the mound for the Rockies to start this game. Rogers is 5-1 this season with a 4.91 ERA.

Starting this game for the Cardinals will be Edwin Jackson. The righthander has a 4.07 ERA to go along with a 8-8 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 158-moneyline favorites versus the Rockies, while the game's total is sitting at 9.

The Rockies were a 6-1 winner in their most recent outing on the road against the Cardinals. That made winners of bettors who got Colorado at +160 on the moneyline, while the total score (7) was good news for UNDER bettors.

Team records: Colorado: 56-65 SU St. Louis: 64-56 SU

Colorado most recently: When playing on Sunday are 5-5 Before playing Florida are 6-4 After playing St. Louis are 5-5 After a win are 4-6

St. Louis most recently: When playing on Sunday are 6-4 Before playing Pittsburgh are 7-3 After playing Colorado are 5-5 After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Colorado's last 10 games when playing St. Louis The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado St. Louis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Colorado The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games at home

Next up: Colorado home to Florida, Monday, August 15 St. Louis at Pittsburgh, Monday, August 15

MLB Preview: Colorado Rockies vs. St. Louis Cardinals

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Sunday when they take on the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.

The Pirates will trot Charlie Morton out to the mound in this one. Righthander Morton has a 9-6 record and a 3.56 ERA this season.

Morton's opponent in this one will be Shaun Marcum. The Brewers righthander has a 3.62 ERA to go along with a 10-3 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Brewers listed as 190-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total is sitting at 8.

The Pirates were a 1-0 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Brewers. That made winners of bettors who got Milwaukee at -162 on the moneyline, while the total score (1) was good news for UNDER bettors.

Current streak: Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games. Milwaukee has won 2 straight games.

Team records: Pittsburgh: 56-62 SU Milwaukee: 69-51 SU

Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Sunday are 3-7 Before playing St. Louis are 5-5 After playing Milwaukee are 1-9 After a loss are 2-8

Milwaukee most recently: When playing on Sunday are 4-6 Before playing LA Dodgers are 5-5 After playing Pittsburgh are 8-2 After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 11 of Pittsburgh's last 15 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee Pittsburgh is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road Pittsburgh is 2-13 SU in its last 15 games Milwaukee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh Milwaukee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh Milwaukee is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home Milwaukee is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games

Next up: Pittsburgh home to St. Louis, Monday, August 15 Milwaukee home to LA Dodgers, Monday, August 15

MLB Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers

The Los Angeles Angels and the Toronto Blue Jays will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Rogers Centre.

Dan Haren will be the starting pitcher for the Angels on this day. Righthander Haren is 11-6 this season with a 2.93 ERA.

The Blue Jays will counter Haren with Brett Cecil. Lefthander Cecil has a 4.31 ERA to go along with a 4-5 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Angels listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Blue Jays, while the game's total is sitting at 7½.

The Angels were a 11-2 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Blue Jays. That made winners of bettors who got Toronto at +117 on the moneyline, while the total score (13) was good news for OVER bettors.

Team records: Los Angeles: 65-55 SU Toronto: 60-59 SU

Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Sunday are 6-4 Before playing Texas are 4-6 After playing Toronto are 5-5 After a loss are 8-2

Toronto most recently: When playing on Sunday are 6-4 Before playing Seattle are 4-6 After playing LA Angels are 4-6 After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games on the road LA Angels are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto The total has gone UNDER in 18 of LA Angels's last 25 games when playing on the road against Toronto The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Toronto's last 25 games when playing at home against LA Angels The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing LA Angels

Next up: LA Angels home to Texas, Monday, August 15 Toronto at Seattle, Monday, August 15

MLB Preview: Los Angeles Angels vs. Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

Oddsmakers currently have the Tiger-Cats listed as 7½-point favorites versus the Argonauts, while the game's total is sitting at 50.

Cleo Lemon threw for 314 yards and two scores in the Argonauts' 36-23 loss to the Alouettes in Week 6.

The Alouettes managed to cover the 4.5-point spread on the road in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (52).

The Tiger-Cats fell on the road in Week 6, losing 32-20 to the Stampeders in Calgary.

The Stampeders managed to cover the 3.5-point spread in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (50.5).

Current streak: Toronto has lost 5 straight games.

Team records: Toronto: 1-5 SU, 2-4 ATS Hamilton: 3-3 SU, 3-3 ATS

Toronto most recently: When playing in August are 2-8 When playing on turf are 3-7 After being outgained are 4-6 When playing within the conference are 3-7

Hamilton most recently: When playing in August are 5-5 When playing on turf are 4-6 After being outgained are 4-6 When playing within the conference are 7-3

A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Hamilton The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games Toronto is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Hamilton The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 9 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Hamilton's last 5 games when playing Toronto The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Hamilton's last 7 games at home Hamilton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Hamilton's last 12 games

Next up: Toronto home to Saskatchewan, Thursday, August 18 Hamilton at Winnipeg, Friday, August 26

 

CFL Preview: Toronto Argonauts vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats

A season ago the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were a nonfactor, the lone East Division team to miss the boat on the playoffs. Their 4-14 record wasn't just last in their own conference though, but also the entire league.

This season, however, they've emerged as one of the most intriguing options on the odds board.

Through 2011's first six weeks, the Blue Bombers have not only turned their fortunes around, but done so dramatically. They currently sit first in the East Division and tied in the CFL for the best record. Their defense has allowed the fewest amount of points against this season - by far.

Perhaps most impressively, they've already won more games than last year out.

Why then, do they have just 7/1 odds of winning the Grey Cup?

This Saturday, Winnipeg will have an opportunity to extend their 5-1 mark to 6-1, as they host the last-place B.C. Lions. A victory may well raise their stock in the eyes of oddsmakers but likely not by much.

Despite their success so far this season, they remain closer to the bottom of the barrel than the top when it comes to CFL futures.

Will Winnipeg's success last over the course of the season? It may be tough with the Montreal Alouettes on their heels and with the West Division sharpening their teeth as they year progresses, but at least the Blue Bombers can take solace in the fact that no matter what happens over the remaining 12 weeks, they've already improved in the win column.

Bet CFL Action with Bodog.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers: Early Fluke or High Payout CFL Bet Option

The Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Safeco Field.

The Red Sox will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Josh Beckett in this game. Beckett has a 9-4 record and a 2.17 ERA this season.

The Mariners will counter Beckett with Felix Hernandez. Righthander Hernandez has a 3.31 ERA to go along with a 10-10 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Red Sox listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Mariners, while the game's total is sitting at 6½.

Last time out for Boston, they were a 6-4 winner as they battled the Mariners on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Red Sox at -154 were rewarded, while the 10 combined runs moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Team records: Boston: 73-44 SU Seattle: 50-67 SU

Boston most recently: When playing on Saturday are 5-5 Before playing Seattle are 7-3 After playing Seattle are 7-3 After a win are 6-4

Seattle most recently: When playing on Saturday are 4-6 Before playing Boston are 4-6 After playing Boston are 3-7 After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider: Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games when playing at home against Boston Seattle is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

Next up: Seattle home to Boston, Sunday, August 14

MLB Preview: Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Saturday when the Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics meet at Overstock.com Coliseum.

Colby Lewis will be the starting pitcher for the Rangers on this day. Righthander Lewis is 10-8 this season with a 4.12 ERA.

Starting this game for the Athletics will be Trevor Cahill. The righthander has a 3.93 ERA to go along with a 9-10 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Rangers listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Athletics, while the game's total is sitting at 7½.

In their last action, Texas was a 9-1 winner on the road against the Athletics. Bettors on Texas at -122 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (10) sent OVER bettors home happy as well.

Team records: Texas: 67-52 SU Oakland: 53-65 SU

Texas most recently: When playing on Saturday are 7-3 Before playing Oakland are 5-5 After playing Oakland are 7-3 After a win are 4-6

Oakland most recently: When playing on Saturday are 3-7 Before playing Texas are 6-4 After playing Texas are 3-7 After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider: Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oakland The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 8 of Texas's last 10 games when playing Oakland The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 15 of Oakland's last 18 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 6 games when playing at home against Texas The total has gone OVER in 8 of Oakland's last 10 games when playing Texas

Next up: Oakland home to Texas, Sunday, August 14

AL West Preview: Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics

Will an NFL Player test positive for HGH during the 2011 NFL Season (Including Playoffs)

Yes -200

No +150

What will be the position of the first player to test positive for HGH during the 2011 NFL Season (Including Playoffs)

Offense -110

Defense -130

What will be the position of the first player to test positive for HGH during the 2011 NFL Season (Including Playoffs)

Defensive Line 5/2

Offensive Line 3/1

Wide Receiver/Tight End 4/1

Safety/DB 4/1

Running Back 5/1

Quarterback 7/1

Kicker/Punter 10/1

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NFL Drug Testing Props On HGH Testing