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03/11/2010 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - As the boys of summer prepare for the upcoming MLB season, the ones north of the border are sure to get some extra attention.
Tracking some of Canada's top players for the MLB 2010 season:
HITTERS
JUSTIN MORNEAU, MINNESOTA TWINS
2009: .274 AVG, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 85 R, .878 OPS
2010 Outlook: The 2006 AL MVP suffered a stress fracture in his back late in the '09 season that forced the first baseman to miss the team's final 21 games. Despite playing in his fewest games since 2004, the three-time All-Star topped 30-100 for the third time in four years. With a healthy Twins lineup, featuring newly-acquired Orlando Hudson and MLB batting champ Joe Mauer, Morneau is poised for another MVP-type season.
Stat fact: Morneau has the fourth-highest RBI total in baseball since 2006.
JASON BAY, NEW YORK METS
2009: .267 AVG, 36 HR, 119 RBI, 103 R, .921 OPS
2010 Outlook: Bay returns to the NL after posting career-highs in HR and RBI in his first full season as a member of the Boston Red Sox. The three-time All- Star signed an $80 million contract to take his act to the Big Apple, where the outfielder should add solid production and durability to a talented yet injury-plagued ballclub. Although Bay's home run total is likely to take a hit in the spacious Citi Field, his peripheral numbers should stay similar to years' past given the potential of the Mets lineup.
Stat fact: Bay's 2009 RBI and HR totals ranked second and third respectively in the AL.
JOEY VOTTO, CINCINNATI REDS
2009: .322 AVG, 25 HR, 84 RBI, .414 OBP, .567 SLG, .981 OPS
2010 Outlook: An inner-ear infection and subsequent battle with depression poured cold water on the banner year the Reds first baseman was putting together. The 26-year-old was hitting .370 through early May before the infection gave way to headaches and dizziness. Votto ended up missing 31 games but still managed to lead the Reds in several offensive categories and finished among the NL top five in batting, slugging and on-base percentage. Healthy and looking to put his past behind him, Votto should continue to solidify himself among the elite hitters in the game.
Stat fact: Votto hit .300 or higher in six consecutive months from August '08 to July '09, including hitting .374 last September.
PITCHERS
ERIK BEDARD, SEATTLE MARINERS
2009: 5-3, 2.82 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 90 SO, 83 IP
2010 Outlook: The six-foot-one, 200-pound southpaw is coming off shoulder surgery and is expected to miss the first couple months of the season. However, the Mariners signed the injury-prone 31-year-old to a low-risk, high-reward one-year deal worth $1.5 million plus incentives, given his age and high strikeout-to-walk ratio when healthy. If he can stay on the mound, Bedard could provide exceptional depth in the middle of a rotation headlined by Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee.
Stat fact: Erik Bedard's 10.93 strikeouts per nine innings in 2007 stands as the highest K/9 ratio in the MLB since Oliver Perez in 2004.
RYAN DEMPSTER, CHICAGO CUBS
2009: 11-9, 3.65 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 172 SO, 200 IP
2010 Outlook: The starter-turned-closer-back-to-starter had another solid season in '09, pitching 200 innings for the second-straight year, although he failed to duplicate an impressive '08 campaign (17-6, 2.96 ERA). Regardless, the 32-year-old right hander should continue to turn out quality starts as the No. 3 pitcher for the Cubs.
Stat fact: Since the beginning of 2008, Dempster ranks in the NL top 10 in wins, ERA, games started, innings pitched, and strikeouts.
RICH HARDEN, TEXAS RANGERS
2009: 9-9, 4.09 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 171 SO, 141 IP
2010 Outlook: Similar to Bedard, the 28-year-old right-hander has been somewhat of an enigma, among the most talented arms in the game when he's not on the disabled list. After spending a little more than a year in Chicago, the Victoria, B.C.-native signed with the Rangers in the hopes of returning to his dominant form. Although Harden gave up a career-high 23 home runs in '09, his 26 starts were the most he's made in a season since 2004 with Oakland.
Stat fact: Injuries have prevented Harden from qualifying for most categories, but his 9.35 K/9 since 2003 would rank him seventh in all of baseball.
LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK
LHP JEFF FRANCIS, COLORADO ROCKIES
The six-foot-five lanky southpaw is looking to put the past two seasons behind him.
After helping guide the Rockies to the World Series with a 17-9 record over 215 innings in '07, Francis went 4-10 with an ERA over five in '08 and missed all of 2009 following shoulder surgery.
A healthy Francis will look to regain the old form that saw him go 44-32 over three seasons (2005-2007).
C RUSSELL MARTIN, LOS ANGELES DODGERS
By all accounts, Martin's 2009 season was a disappointment. Unable to build on three productive years in Dodger blue, the 27-year-old put up career-lows across the board (.250 AVG, 7 HR, 53 RBI).
The two-time All-Star arrived in 2010 training camp claiming to have put on 25 pounds of muscle over the offseason, determined to reclaim his status as one of the top young catchers in the game.
However, Martin pulled his groin early in camp and will miss four-to-six weeks, including the beginning of the regular season. When healthy, Martin is a multi- tool catcher, providing power, speed and durability at a position where a combination of those skills is rare.
AROUND THE BASES
3B Mark Teahen, CWS: Former utility man for the Royals, Teahen is penciled in as the starting third baseman for the White Sox this coming season. The 28- year-old had 12 HR, 50 RBI, and 34 2B in 144 games for Kansas City last year.
RF Matt Stairs, SD: At 42, Stairs will assume the role as the power-hitting pinch-hitter off San Diego's bench. After considering retirement, Stairs reportedly checked into training camp 32 pounds lighter than he was at the end of the '09 season. The left-handed slugger ranks second all-time behind Larry Walker for home runs by a Canadian MLB player with 259.
TOP PROSPECTS
Baseball America recently named three Canadians in their annual Top 100 Prospects list, led by Michael Saunders (ranked 30th) of the Seattle Mariners. The 23-year-old outfielder hit .221 in 122 AB last year with the Mariners and could find his way back up to the big club should injuries strike.
Brett Lawrie (59th) became the earliest Canadian position player ever selected in the MLB draft when the Milwaukee Brewers took him 16th overall in 2008. The 20-year-old second baseman hit .274 with 13 HR and 65 RBI in 118 games split between the Brewers' Class-A and Double-A affiliates. Lawrie is expected to spend the '10 season in the minor leagues.
Phillippe Aumont (93rd) was a key component of the three-way deal involving Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. The 21-year-old six-foot-seven right hander will start the season in Double-A for the Philadelphia Phillies, and has an outside chance at making a late-season appearance on the big league roster.
<< Chiefs sign Urban
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Chiefs have signed wide
receiver Jerheme Urban.
Urban spent the past three seasons with Arizona after playing his first three
years in the NFL with Seattle. He has 87 career recepti
<< Reyes to rest after additional tests on thyroid
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets said shortstop Jose Reyes
will not participate in any baseball activities until his thyroid levels
return to normal.
Reyes underwent additional blood tests this week after being diag
<< Tank Johnson re-signs with Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Bengals have re-signed
defensive tackle Tank Johnson.
Johnson originally signed with Cincinnati last offseason and recorded two
sacks and 29 tackles in 14 games last season.
"Si
<< Report: Woods working with Fleischer on return
Orlando, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tiger Woods may be returning to the PGA Tour in
two weeks at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, according to a report
in the New York Post.
In a story Thursday, the Post credits "two sources in the gol
Patriots re-sign RB Faulk >>
Foxboro, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New England Patriots re-signed running back
Kevin Faulk on Thursday. Details of the contract were not disclosed.
The all-purpose back, who has been with the Patriots since being selected in
the second r
Lookin at Lucky highlights Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn >>
Hot Springs, AR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Champion colt Lookin at Lucky tops a field
of seven three-year-olds in Saturday's $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
The 2009 champion two-year-old will be making his first start of the year in
the 1 1
Puerto Rico Open washed out by heavy rain >>
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first round of the Puerto Rico
Open was washed out Thursday by another round of heavy rain that left the
Trump International course unplayable.
Only 18 players in a full PGA Tour field tee
Real's Pellegrini given vote of confidence >>
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Real Madrid Technical Director Jorge Valdano
has handed the dreaded vote of confidence to coach Manuel Pellegrini after the
Spanish giants were knocked out of the Champions League by Lyon on Wednesday.
Real
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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Las Vegas Sports Consultants (LVSC) is the world’s premier oddsmaking company and the most respected authority on making the lines. Mike Seba is a Senior Oddsmaker at LVSC and has been making lines for the last six years. In our extended interview, Seba explained that there are 4-5 oddsmakers assigned to make lines for each of the major sports (pro & college football and basketball; MLB, NHL, boxing, golf). Each of these oddsmakers bring unique opinions, strengths and weaknesses to the process. Oddsmakers at LVSC are professional sports junkies who love what they do and would probably do it for nothing if you asked them, but they do get paid for it. By necessity their approach is very research-oriented and concise, since with millions of dollars at risk there is little margin for error.
“You either have a passion for it or you don’t,” Seba said.
“The #1 thing for us is to make a line for each game that creates good two-way action. We do this by drawing from past experiences and applying them to current situations. People think it’s much more complicated, but it’s not. “Divided action means the sportsbook is guaranteed a profit on the game because of the fee charged to the bettor (called juice or vig – typically $11 bet to win $10).
Power ratings are the oddsmaker’s value of each team and are used as a guide to calculate a "preliminary" pointspread on an upcoming game. The power ratings are adjusted after each game a team plays. Examples of non-game factors that would require an adjustment to a team's power rating are key player injuries and player trades.
Once a game’s power rating based pointspread is determined, the oddsmaker will make adjustments to that line after considering each team's most recent games played and previous games played against that opponent. Also, adjustments are made after reading each team’s local newspapers to get a sense of what the coaches & players are thinking going into the game.Since the oddsmaker’s ultimate goal is equally dividing the sports betting action, public perception and sportsbook betting patterns must be taken into account. For example, the public might have heavy betting interest week after week on a popular college football betting team such as USC. If an oddsmaker comes up with a preliminary line of USC -7, then an adjustment up to -7.5 or -8 would be made in response to the public’s expected USC bias.
The last step in the line-making process for each oddsmaker is taking one final look to determine whether or not the line "feels right." This is where common sense and past experience with how games are bet enters into the picture.A round-table discussion among the 4-5 oddsmakers involved in making the line for each sport is then conducted and a consensus line is decided upon by the Odds Director before it is released to the sportsbooks. Of the 4-5 oddsmakers, generally the 2 most respected opinions are weighed more heavily by the Odds Director before he decides on the final line.
Experts working for the individual books having a strong opinion on the game
Individual books having players who consistently bet with certain tendencies (such as an extreme bias toward favorites or toward a certain popular team like USC)The purpose of these adjustments, like all line adjustments, is to more equally divide the betting action.
Once betting begins, sportsbooks can adjust the line at any time. In doing so they attempt to make more attractive the team that is getting less action. By moving the line, sportsbooks can influence how the public bets on a particular game.For example, if the pointspread on a game is 7 and most of the money is coming in on the underdog (taking the +7), sportsbooks will then move the number down to 6 ½ to try and attract money on the favorite.
Moving the line is the oddsmaker's effort to balance betting action, and often times such moves can have a major impact on a bettor’s decision. Oddsmakers can also change the line depending on various event-related factors such as player injuries or weather. Obviously, if the line comes out a week ahead of the event (which is the case in football), there is much that could happen during the week leading up to the event that could affect the line. Oddsmakers have to determine if any changes are necessary and send out an "adjusted line."“The main objective is that our clients get equal action on both sides,” Seba said. “We’re not trying to pick the team that covers the spread, we’re trying to make it a coin flip, a tough decision (for the bettor). If we’ve done that, we’ve done our job.”
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