Sports betting

Team On The Rise: Atlanta Falcons

NFL betting fans saw the Atlanta Falcons post back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history last year, which was a big step for them. But last year was all about the growing pains; now they are ready to compete.

With a healthy, trimmed down Michael Turner, combined with the growth of Matt Ryan, we should see the Falcons back in the playoffs in 2010. The South seems to be a revolving door as far as who wins it each year. Don’t be surprised if it’s the Falcons in 2010-11. They are definitely good enough.

Team On The Decline: Carolina Panthers

They are a tough team to figure out in the  sportsbook, but we can help: they can run the ball and play a bit of defense, but they lack a passing game and depth. In other words, they’ll be the teams that beat themselves and they’ll be teams who have a poor run defense. But if they succumb to any injuries or have to pass to win, they are going to be very successful.

Until the Panthers can develop a passing game, they are going to be one-dimensional and that won’t get them very far in a competitive NFC South.

Predicted Winner: New Orleans Saints

The betting public is all over the Saints but why bet against them? The defense should continue to get better and the offense returns virtually everyone intact. The Falcons will be neck-in-neck with the Saints this year but let’s be honest: the Saints are just a hair better. As long as Brees is healthy, there is no reason to bet against them.

Rookie Candidate

The National League Rookie of the Year race is heating up. We’ve got a month to go before it’s all said and done. That means plenty of time to get your MLB Betting pick for the award here at Sports Betting. At the moment, there’s a clear cut favorite to win it. But, a month is a long time and things could change in a hurry. One thing’s for certain – there will be no miraculous Stephen Strasburg victory in this category.

As a double threat, Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants is the frontrunner as far as the baseball odds are concerned. He can play both the catching and first base positions, keeping him on the field down the stretch for the Giants.

Incredibly, Posey is hitting over .300 with only 41 strikeouts in over 300 at bats, very unrookie-like. Without Posey, the Giants would not be in the race for a playoff spot. Rightfully so, Sports Betting has Posey’s MLB odds at 2/5 for him to win rookie honors.

Earlier this season, it looked like Jason Heyward of the Atlanta Braves was the young star to bet on. He was giving the team a power shot in the arm and even made the all-star team. But an injury sidetracked his season and it took him a while to get back into the swing of things.

Still, Heyward has more home runs, RBIs and stolen bases than Posey. However, he’s striking out a lot more and his average isn’t as impressive. His baseball betting odds are sitting at 3/2.

And then there’s everyone else. It really is a two-dog race right now. The only other candidate for top N.L. rookie is Jaime Garcia. The young St. Louis Cardinals pitcher has been a mainstay in the starting rotation for the Cards all year, racking up some impressive performances in the process. He has 12 wins on the year, a low E.R.A. and over 100 strikeouts. He’s been solid, but he’ll need a lights out month to vault over the other two contenders. Garcia is listed at 5/2 right now.

For betting value, we would hang out hat on Heyward, especially if he can string some hits together and get that batting average as close to .300 as possible.

Pick Halladay

We’ve taken a look at the American League Cy Young race. Now it’s time to size up the competition in the National League, where pitching is supposed to be at a premium. Making a choice for MLB betting on this race is tough. There are a handful of pitchers who still have a shot. Sports Betting features the latest baseball odds on this hotly contested race.

Adam Wainwright 4/5

He is the supposed clearcut favorite according to the MLB odds right now, but we don’t think he should automatically be penciled in. He’s got the wins and strikeout numbers, to go along with a low E.R.A. However, he lost his last outing, lasting only five innings. The Cardinals as a whole have tanked recently, perhaps making it conducive for Wainwright to do the same. Still, he is the frontrunner at the moment.

Roy Halladay 5/4

Many were awarding this ace the award before he threw one pitch for the Phillies. Halladay has had an up and down year, but it’s been mostly up. He has more strikeouts that Wainwright and more complete games and shutouts. Halladay needs a solid month and the award could be his.

Ubaldo Jimenez 5/2

The E.R.A. is slightly higher and the K’s are lower, but Jimenez is right there with the big two. His winning percentage is the best among the contenders, but he does need a brilliant month of September to vault past the other two. But at 5/2, he is yielding some good baseball betting value.

Heath Bell 10/1 (field)

It’s been a while since a reliever won this prize, but it is possible. Bell has been lights out for the entire season with the Padres. He’s one of the reasons they are where they are right now. He’s converted 37 of 40 save chances and has 73 strikeouts in 55.2 innings. The E.R.A. is very low and his record is 5-0. Sports Betting hasn’t singled out baseball betting odds for this guy, specifically. That means he’s a part of the 10/1 field betting option. He may be worth a gamble.

At the end of the day, we still like Halladay for the award. He tops Wainwright in most categories and his team will be in it up until the final regular season day of the year.

Bet Buchholz

In one of the most wide open races in years, the American League Cy Young Award race will be hotly contested down the stretch. Trying to assess the MLB betting chances of each competitor is difficult, but one of them has to win. Sports Betting features the latest odds on who will be named the top pitcher in the A.L.

CC Sabathia 2/3

The current favorite, Sabathia is a veteran of Cy Young talk. He’s on arguably the best team in baseball, gets plenty of run support and has shown an amazing durability over the last few years. He’s an unflappable pitcher that is in the mix again. Unfortunately, the baseball odds value here isn’t all that great.

David Price 3/2

Price is an electrifying hurler, combining power and finesse. He plays on a team that’s right there in the hunt with the Yankees, so he does get a lot of attention. Recently, he was outshone by Clay Buchholz in a pivotal division game, so we’ll see how he bounces back. The baseball betting odds for Price is decent considering his outstanding season. He’s listed at 3/2.

Cliff Lee 5/2

You know he’s going to get a ton of run support each and every time he takes the mound. Cliff Lee has had his ups and downs this season, including being traded from Seattle to Texas. But, his sheer walk-to-strikeout ratio is the stuff of legends. He’s definitely in the talk and has the reputation to back it up. At 5/2, Lee’s odds are merited and probably exactly where they should be.

Clay Buchholz 10/1

Wow, what a bargain. Buchholz did just recently pitch better than Price head-to-head, but he also spent some time on the DL this season. The voters might penalize Buchholz for not playing a full season. His E.R.A is fantastic, but the wins may lag down the stretch. Still, his 10/1 MLB odds are intriguing.

If you’re looking for a hot pitcher and good betting value, take a flyer on Buchholz.

Zambrano starts

It’s one of the no-brainer MLB betting picks you can make in the 2010 baseball odds season. The sub par Chicago Cubs take on the even more pitiful Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. The Cubs are already thinking about next season, while who knows what the P’s brass is pondering. Sports Betting has your odds for this old school matchup.

Pittsburgh vs Chicago

It’s been a disappointing season for the Chicago Cubs. Not really expected to contend for the World Series in 2010, the Cubs have nonetheless underachieved. Their season recently came to a head with the resignation of manager Lou Piniella and the trade of fan favorite Derek Lee.

Meanwhile, the Pirates season has been futile of epic proportions. They’ve won less than some of the worst baseball teams of all-time. Even their top players like Ryan Doumit have underachieved terribly, making it another long, long season in Steeltown. Baseball betting against the Pirates has become common place. Throw in the recent revelations of how much money team owners are taking in and not spending on improving the team and this club is ripe for the picking every time out.

Sports Betting features the MLB odds moneyline at -175 for the Cubs and +147 for the Pirates. Chicago starts Carlos Zambrano and his 5-5 record (team is 5-8 in his 2010 starts) versus Paul Maholm and his 7-12 line (team is 11-15 in his 2010 starts). Neither pitcher has been vintage this season, with both having E.R.A.’s nearly the five mark.

Here’s all you need to know. The Pirates are an appalling 13-50 on the road this year. They are also 25-63 against righthanded starters. Pitt is also 7-19 in the month of August. While the Cubs haven’t been that much better (10-17 in August), they are 29-38 at home, good enough to be a favorite against the woeful Pirates.

Lay the money and take the Cubs for the win.

Team On The Rise: Detroit Lions

NFL betting sharps know that there is very little question about this one. The Washington Redskins are the most improved team in the NFC East.

After dwindling in the basement for many years, the Redskins hired coach Mike Shanahan to take over and he immediately made a move for quarterback Donovan McNabb. Will this tandem bring a Super Bowl to Washington? At this point, that is anyone’s guess. But what we do know is that the Redskins have solidified two positions that have been very unstable for them and that alone is going to bring a significant improvement.

Team On The Decline: Minnesota Vikings

Sure, they got Brett Favre back but unfortunately sportsbook odds makers don’t believe in this team so much anymore. Favre has looked rusty in the preseason and a lot of people wonder just how healthy his ankle really is. On top of that, the Vikings lost their top wide receiver, Sidney Rice, for about half the season and another wideout, Percy Harvin, is dealing with persistent migraines. On top of that, running back Adrian Peterson still can’t find running room and he still has fumbling problems.

The Vikings were 12-4 last season and just because Favre is back doesn’t mean they’ll be as good. They could be surprisingly bad unless Favre can carry them for a second year in a row.

Predicted Winner: Green Bay Packers

The betting public has been pounding Minnesota since Favre returned but the Packers might actually be the best team in the division. Aaron Rodgers has replaced Favre and emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He’ll be working with plenty of weapons to throw to, a good running game and finally an offensive line that is tougher to penetrate. On defense, the Packers aren’t spectacular, but they are good enough.

Last season, their youth was a detriment when they faced the veteran Vikings. This year, that spring step will make a difference and don’t hesitate to bet them to win the North.

Team On The Rise: Washington Redskins

NFL betting sharps know that there is very little question about this one. The Washington Redskins are the most improved team in the NFC East.

After dwindling in the basement for many years, the Redskins hired coach Mike Shanahan to take over and he immediately made a move for quarterback Donovan McNabb. Will this tandem bring a Super Bowl to Washington? At this point, that is anyone’s guess. But what we do know is that the Redskins have solidified two positions that have been very unstable for them and that alone is going to bring a significant improvement.

Team On The Decline: Philadelphia Eagles

The Donovan McNabb era is over and no matter how smooth the transition is to Kevin Kolb sportsbook odds makers are not expecting this team to be as good. The Eagles were a playoff contender before and their decision to make a change at the most critical position on the football field will bring some growing pains.

The youth movement is on in full force in Philly and while it should work out well in the long run, right now there will be some bumps and bruises while everyone figures out their new roles.

Predicted Winner: Dallas Cowboys

The betting public loves this team and why not. They have won the division two years in a row and continue to get better. They added first-round pick Dez Bryant to the mix, which will make an explosive offense even more multi-faceted. And on defense, they are among the best units in the league.

Every other team in this division appears to be a brick short of a load, so if you’re going to bet here, stick with the team that has been the most consistent.

Pedroia gone

It’s a showdown of epic proportions for one MLB betting team and just another series for the other club. The Boston Red Sox visit the Tampa Bay Rays with eyes on sweeping Tampa and getting back in the A.L. wild card race. It’s a tall order for an injury-ravaged team that plays the role of underdog in this matchup. Sports Betting has your baseball odds on the first game of this pivotal series tonight.

Boston vs Tampa Bay

You couldn’t ask for a better pitching matchup tonight, as the Rays attempt to bury Boston’s MLB odds playoff chances once and for all. Lefty David Price takes on another lefty in John Lester. It’s sure to be a true pitcher’s duel. Sports Betting has Tampa Bay as a baseball odds favorite on the moneyline at -128. The Red Sox +108 underdogs.

Price has been spectacular this season, going 15-5 on the year (the team is 17-7 in his 2010 starts). Price has combined power with finesse and has kept his E.R.A. under three. Lester’s numbers are pretty good as well. The World Series winner is 13-8 (the team is 14-11 in his 2010 starts) with an E.R.A. of 3.26.

The baseball betting key stats certainly lean in the favor of the Rays. Boston is only 26-25 against divisional opponents, compared to 29-18 for the Rays. The Rays are a solid 39-24 at home, with Boston being 33-29 on the road. Plus David Price’s team has won his last three starts.

Another factor to consider is the report that Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia could be done for the season. The inspirational and gritty leader has been battling a foot injury and his permanent absence from the lineup could be a major psychological blow to the BoSox.

All this to say, tonight’s game looks like a Rays victory, potentially ending Boston’s postseason hopes in the process.

Leinart a bust?

This week’s Monday Night Football matchup featured the tale of a couple of quarterbacks. On one hand, you had Vince Young, a guy who seemingly has resurrected his career and has worked very hard this offseason. On the other side was draft brother Matt Leinart. The former USC star has had a disappointing few years in the NFL, to say the least. And Monday night didn’t help his cause. Sports Betting features NFL betting odds on the Arizona Cardinals for the 2010 football season.

Last season, the Cardinals were still a factor. A year earlier they had reached the Super Bowl and last season saw them right in the thick of contention once again. But when the team lost Kurt Warner to retirement and then dropped Anquan Boldin from the receiving corps, they pretty much sealed their fate for 2010.

Currently, the football betting odds for the Cardinals are 18-1 to win the NFC Championship and 40-1 to win the Super Bowl. At this point, it’s hard to imagine either as a legitimate possibility. Leinart and the starters did not look good on Monday night. Essentially, the Arizona offense has to go from being a quick-pass, aerial-oriented attack, to a tough, grind-it-out ground offense. It’s hard to imagine the team reinventing itself in one offseason and getting to the title game.

Leinart clearly is not developing as the Cardinals had hoped. In fact backup Derek Anderson could push him for the starting quarterback role in the desert. The problem lies with Leinart’s decision-making, as he doesn’t seem to make the reads quick enough.

The one positive that Arizona’s offense can hang their hat on is the addition of pro bowl lineman Alan Faneca to the squad. He brings toughness, experience, leadership and success. If the Cards are going to run the ball, it will go through him.

But on a whole, look for the Cardinals to take a backseat in 2010 from a football betting perspective.

Team On The Rise: Oakland Raiders

NFL betting handicappers are used to betting against the Oakland Raiders and taking it to the bank each year as they lose 10+ games. This year, things are different. They had a decent finish to 2009 (by their standards) and then picked up quarterback Jason Campbell to solidify a position that has been their Achilles heel. Campbell will move the ball and more importantly, he won’t cripple the team like JaMarcus Russell did.

The defense is tough and the offense will be effective; that’s enough for an 8-8 season. For the Raiders, that would be a huge success.

Team On The Decline: Denver Broncos

Sportsbook were shocked when this team started 6-0 in 2009 but boy does that look like a distant memory now. The Broncos finished the year with just two wins in their last 10 contests and then put in an ugly offseason. They traded away stud wideout Brandon Marshall, then traded for quarterback Brady Quinn, drafted Tim Tebow and signed Kyle Orton to an extension. Their running backs are already injured and after signing their best defensive player, Elvis Dumervil, to a long term contract, he tore his pectoral muscle and will miss about half the season.

Head Coach Josh McDaniels continues to act like he knows more than anyone else but usually this type of arrogance leads to plenty of losses and a pink slip. The Broncos are squarely on that track.

Predicted Winner: San Diego Chargers

Betting sharps know that the San Diego Chargers are the biggest division favorite out there (by a long shot) and the reason is simple: they are the only team in the division that is not rebuilding. Beyond that, they are a definite Super Bowl contender. They have some question marks with Pro Bowl holdouts Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill, but outside of that, this team has been the epitome of consistency in the division.

There’s no reason to bet against them here. The Chiefs are a wreck, nobody knows what the Broncos are doing and while the Raiders are getting better, quantify that with the fact that they lose double-digit games every year. The Chargers no-brainer pick in the West.