07/23/2008 - (Baseball Betting) - Trying to hide from the second-worst winning percentage in all of baseball, the Washington Nationals have begun laying the groundwork for the future, beyond the 2008 season.
On Tuesday it was reported that shortstop Cristian Guzman agreed to sign up with the struggling club for another two seasons through 2010. The show of goodwill by Guzman, who could have filed for free agency at the end of this campaign, would seem like a bargain for most teams in today's economic climate.
On a team that is 16 games out of first place in the National League East and already 24 games below .500 with a week to play in July, Guzman appears to be the last ray of hope for a club that continues to be in need of finding its own identity.
The 30-year old, who spent the first six of his 10 major league seasons with the Minnesota Twins, could have tested the market and offered up his services for what some believe may have led to a four-year contract, but instead chose to show his thanks by signing a two-year deal worth $16 million.
Guzman, who was the lone representative for Washington at the 2008 All-Star Game, looks like the good guy in all of this because he supposedly offered himself up below market value. However, even though he is hitting .307 so far this season, has knocked in 34 and crossed the plate 56 times, does he really deserve to see his earnings balloon by such an extent?
The timing seems a bit odd really, given that the Santo Domingo native has just three hits in his last six games and has more strikeouts (four) during that span than he has walks (three) the entire month of July thus far. Add to that the fact that, not only did Guzman miss all of the 2006 season, he played in a mere 46 games in 2007 and batted a paltry .219 in his first year with the Nationals back in 2005 when the team signed him to a four-year deal that stunned more than a few people.
Very few shortstops are considered solid power hitters, and Guzman is no exception with his mere five home runs in 420 at-bats this season. But generally the smaller players on the infield make up for that lack of muscle with some measure of speed on the bases, something that Guzman has been missing with as many stolen bases (three) as he has been caught stealing to this point.
Then again, he's never really been a threat to run with just 114 steals (59 caught stealing) over the course of more than 1,100 games.
Nevertheless, compared to the rest of Major League Baseball, the Nationals certainly have the money to spend, considering the squad is 26th out of 30 teams this season in total payroll at just under $55 million, so how they go about handing out the cash is their business.
LOCKING UP THE MIDDLE
On the same day that the Nationals announced the extension signed by Guzman, the team also made a play to make the middle of the infield that much more secure in the near future as they traded reliever Jon Rauch for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio.
Considered by many to be one of the fastest players in baseball, Bonifacio was quickly optioned to Triple-A Columbus where he will get his first introduction to the organization.
Bonifacio fits perfectly into Washington's plans, a youngster with a huge up- side and a small footprint as far as the payroll is concerned. An All-Star in the Pacific Coast League this year, marking the fourth time in as many seasons he's made such a team, the 23-year old has stolen at least 40 bases in each of the last four years and is a lifetime .284 hitter at the minor league level.
Now that Rauch, a 29-year old who was inserted as the closer for this year after Chad Cordero was lost with shoulder problems, is on the other side of the country and has a chance to possibly take part in the postseason, the Nats are poised to make Joel Hanrahan the closer for the time being.
Hanrahan has been nearly untouchable in his last 13 appearances, showing off a 1.80 ERA, while ranking second among relievers in terms of total strikeouts for 2008 with 65.
WHO'S HOT
Since the All-Star break Willie Harris has lit up the scoreboard with his nine hits in 17 at-bats, knocking in eight and scoring six runs himself. Unlike Harris, who has posted a triple and two home runs in the last four games, Paul Lo Duca has done his damage with timely hitting, converting six hits into six RBI.
Austin Kearns, who has a third of the team's home runs in the last four outings, has just three RBI on seven hits during the stretch, yet has managed to cross the plate seven times himself as the team has averaged eight runs per game.
WHO'S NOT
Put the entire Nationals roster in this column as the team is dead last in all of baseball with a combined batting average of just .243 through 100 games. The squad has the lowest slugging percentage in the National League at the moment at a mere .365, stemming mostly from being third-to-last in the NL in home runs with only 73 at the moment. It also doesn't help that the Nats are tied for the fewest triples in the league with a mere 11.
ON DECK
The Nationals continue their West Coast trip tonight as they play the second of three games against the San Francisco Giants. Heading to the hill for Washington will be Collin Balester with his 1-2 record, countered by an even less impressive Kevin Correia who has just one win in six decisions to date in 2008. Thursday afternoon's matchup has Tim Redding (7-4) facing off against Matt Cain (5-8). Slated to open the three-game weekend set with the Dodgers is John Lannan (6-9). The Nats close out the month of July with three against division-leading Philadelphia at home.
<< Big Unit standing tall for D'Backs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - According to the current depth chart on Arizona's website,
future Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson is fifth in the rotation. Usually
the arms in that slot are the weakest of the bunch, but in this case, the
Diamond
<< Posada mulls over position change
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada
revealed Wednesday that he is mulling over a position change once he returns
from his latest trip to the disabled list.
The Bombers placed Posada on the 15-d
<< Gibbons signs minor league deal with Milwaukee
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Veteran outfielder Jay Gibbons is finally
on the path back to the big leagues, after signing a minor league deal with
the Milwaukee Brewers.
The 31-year-old Gibbons hit 121 home runs during eight
<< Padres recall lefty Ledezma
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres recalled left-handed
pitcher Wil Ledezma from Triple-A Portland on Wednesday.
Ledezma, who is 0-2 with a 5.04 earned run average in 14 games (six starts)
with the Padres this se
Vikings sign remaining three draft picks >>
Eden Prairie, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Vikings signed their
remaining three draft picks Wednesday, including their top choice, safety
Tyrell Johnson.
Along with Johnson, a second-rounder, fifth-round selection quart
Zobrist, Shields lead Rays over A's >>
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ben Zobrist had two RBI from the ninth
spot in the lineup as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3 at
Tropicana Field in the rubber match of a three-game series.
James Shields (9-6) l
Ducks reward Carlyle with another extension >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Anaheim Ducks signed head coach Randy
Carlyle to a two-year contract extension on Wednesday.
Carlyle, who now remains under contract with Anaheim through the 2010-11
campaign, has compiled a 1
Dunn deal: Reds beat Padres, extend Maddux's record winless streak >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Adam Dunn belted his eighth career grand
slam and drove in five runs as the Cincinnati Reds charged past the San Diego
Padres for a 9-5 win in the rubber match of a three-game set at Great
America
Will Ohio State continue to run the table in College Football betting odds?
MySportsbook.com favors Buckeyes, Fighting Irish and Golden Bears in this weekend's big games.
NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 21 - My Sportsbook NCAA football fans: things are beginning to get really interesting on college football's national stage. Following last weekend's "Separation Saturday", which included five teams ranked in the top 15 dropping games, the BCS Championship picture is beginning to take shape - with Ohio State leading the charge. And, according to odds makers at MySportsbook.com, the number-one-ranked Buckeyes will continue their winning ways this weekend.
Revenge will be the name of the game in Columbus this Saturday, as Ohio State looks to even the score following last season's loss to Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions. Although Penn State are listed as 16.5 point underdogs, they are 11-10 all-time versus the Buckeyes. Paterno and the Lions, however, will have to shut down Heisman Trophy favorite Troy Smith who has thrown for 769 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Speaking of revenge, Notre Dame will be out for some against Michigan State, following last year's 44 - 41 overtime loss to the Spartans in South Bend. The thirteenth-ranked Irish, listed as a 3-point favorite, will also be looking to avenge last Saturday's thrashing from the Michigan Wolverines. The Spartans, meanwhile, have won seven of the last nine match-ups against Notre Dame and are coming off an impressive 38-23 victory over Pittsburgh.
Out west, 22nd-ranked Arizona State will be battling for their first victory over 21st-ranked California since 2000. Although the Golden Bears are listed as 7.5-point favorites, the Sun Devils are 3-0, lead the nation in sacks with 18 and possess the Pac-10's leading passer in sophomore quarterback Rudy Carpenter.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.
NCAA Football betting lines (home team in CAPS)
--------------------------------------------------
Date Favorite Opponent Point Spread
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sept 21 GEORGIA TECH Virginia 17
Sept 22 NEVADA Northwestern 6.5
Sept 23 MICHIGAN Wisconsin 14
Sept 23 Minnesota PURDUE 3
Sept 23 SYRACUSE Miami (Ohio) 6.5
Sept 23 MISSOURI Ohio 21.5
Sept 23 Louisville KANSAS STATE 14
Sept 23 TENNESSEE Marshall 22
Sept 23 CLEMSON North Carolina 16.5
Sept 23 FLORIDA Kentucky 24
Sept 23 Iowa ILLINOIS 20.5
Sept 23 FLORIDA STATE Rice 30.5
Sept 23 AUBURN Buffalo 41.5
Sept 23 BOWLING GREEN Kent 7
Sept 23 NAVY Tulsa 4.5
Sept 23 VIRGINIA TECH Cincinnati 27
Sept 23 BYU Utah State 29
Sept 23 OHIO STATE Penn State 16.5
Sept 23 TEXAS Iowa State 25
Sept 23 Washington State STANFORD 10
Sept 23 CALIFORNIA Arizona State 7.5
Sept 23 UCLA WASHINGTON 3
Sept 23 INDIANA Connecticut 1.5
Sept 23 Central Michigan EASTERN MICHIGAN 4
Sept 23 WYOMING Air Force 1
Sept 23 UTEP NEW MEXICO 9.5
Sept 23 West Virginia EAST CAROLINA 21
Sept 23 Boston College NORTH CAROLINA STATE 7
Sept 23 GEORGIA Colorado 27
Sept 23 ARKANSAS Alabama 1.5
Sept 23 BAYLOR Army 11
Sept 23 WESTERN MICHIGAN Temple 28
Sept 23 MISSISSIPPI Wake Forest 2.5
Sept 23 KANSAS South Florida 5.5
Sept 23 TEXAS A&M Louisiana Tech 23.5
Sept 23 UAB Mississippi State 9.5
Sept 23 LSU Tulane 36
Sept 23 Utah SAN DIEGO STATE 6.5
Sept 23 BOISE STATE Hawaii 15
Sept 23 Notre Dame MICHIGAN STATE 3
Sept 23 USC ARIZONA U 22
Sept 23 Oklahoma State HOUSTON 1
Sept 23 OREGON STATE Idaho 23
Sept 23 OKLAHOMA Middle Tennessee State 29
Sept 23 MARYLAND Florida International 18.5
Sept 23 AKRON North Texas 17.5
Sept 23 SOUTH CAROLINA Florida Atlantic 29.5
Sept 23 NEBRASKA Troy 23
Sept 23 SMU Arkansas State 6
For complete NCAA football odds please visit MySportsbook.com
The NFL preseason is approaching. Time for players, coaches and teams to turn over a new leaf. General managers have hired some new coaches, while coaches have added some offensive and defensive assistants to try and improve things. Here’s a look at some changes to look for in the preseason.
New York Jets: The Jets were one of the surprise teams in the NFL last season, making the playoffs under hard-driving first-year coach Eric Mangini. Mangini rebuilt the offensive line with rookies D'Brickashaw Ferguson (the No. 4 pick in the 2007 Draft) and Ohio State center Nick Mangold (the 29th pick in the first round). This season he upgraded the defense with rookie linebacker David Harris (Michigan) while the secondary picked up a much needed top-notch corner in Pitt CB Darrelle Revis (No. 14 overall).
The Jets have added balance to the offense for QB Chad Pennington with RB Thomas Jones, essentially stolen from the Bears. He will upgrade a New York ground game that was 20th in rushing with a weak 3.5 yards per carry. They have their first true feature back since Curtis Martin. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer prefers ball control, like his father Marty. In preseason, behind Pennington you’ll see second-year QB Kellen Clemens and mobile newcomer QB Marques Tuiasosopo.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The heat is on Jack Del Rio in Jacksonville as the Jaguars flopped last season despite a ton of talent. Keep in mind that under Del Rio the Jaguars have been outstanding in preseason with a 12-4 SU, 11-5 ATS August mark. Their defense is loaded, it’s the offense that has been stuck in first gear the last few years.
Enter a new offensive coordinator in Dirk Koetter, the former Boise State and Arizona State pass-happy coach. He will try and upgrade a passing game that ranked 24th last season. Del Rio has criticized wide receivers Reggie Williams and Matt Jones this summer, both of whom have battled injuries. It will be interesting to watch the “new” Jaguars passing game in preseason.
Arizona Cardinals: Word out of Arizona is that the players like new coach Ken Whisenhunt, who was the Steelers offensive coordinator last year. We think of Arizona as all-passing because their running game has been awful of late because of a poor offensive line. However, keep an eye on the running game in preseason as they’ve made a lot of changes.
The new coach brings in Russ Grimm to coach the offensive line (Grimm did a marvelous job building the Steelers line). They took Penn State OT Levi Jones in the first round and signed two offensive linemen, Mike Gandy and Al Johnson, to provide depth. Reggie Wells was moved from right tackle to left guard and they want more speed out of the offensive line for pulling and traps, a Pittsburgh staple under Bill Cowher.
Atlanta Falcons: While all the attention has been focused on QB Mike Vick’s off-field problems, new coach Bobby Petrino is revamping the Falcons from an all-running team to a more balanced one. Petrino likes the experience of backup QB Joey Harrington and he has veteran backup Chris Redman, who used to play for Petrino at Louisville and knows his offenses better than anyone. Petrino wants Vick to be more of a pocket passer.
The addition of FB Ovie Mughelli is a sign Petrino wants a power rushing attack behind a physical fullback and newcomer WR Joe Horn should upgrade what was a below average wideout corps. Petrino is changing their old zone-blocking scheme to a more traditional in-line blocking scheme and the offensive line is bigger. Rookie DE Jamaal Anderson was grabbed in the first round and the secondary got younger with former Auburn cornerback David Irons, who the Falcons think was a steal as a sixth-round pick.
Cleveland Browns: The 2007 Browns look like a double-edged sword. There was the excitement of the offseason, trading for RB Jamel Lewis, upgrading the offensive line with Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas (the No. 2 pick in the draft) and free agent LG Eric Steinbach, then trading for Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn when he fell to No. 22. GM Phil Savage and head coach Romeo Crennel feel they have a talented, balanced offense with these new pieces, plus TE Kellen Winslow and WR Braylon Edwards.
However, were these moves made in desperation? And were they foolish ones? The Browns gave up their 2008 first-round pick for Quinn and we all know QBs take time to develop. And even first-round QBs can be busts (Joey Harrington, Akili Smith). We also don’t know if the offensive line is that much improved (31st in rushing in 2007) and they did nothing to improve a defense that was awful against the run (142 yds pg allowed).
The Browns have a new offensive coordinator in Rob Chudzinski. This is a young offense and Quinn looked tentative, indecisive and inaccurate early in camp. Crennel will play Charlie Frye, Quinn and Derek Anderson in preseason. And there is a mixed bag for rookie QBs receiving significant starts: Tim Couch (14), Kerry Collins (13), Ben Roethlisberger (13), Vince Young (13), Joey Harrington (12), Matt Leinart (11) and Kyle Boller (nine). While all the focus will be on the Browns new-look offense, I’m more concerned with the defense.
Carolina Panthers: Coach Jon Fox loves the ground game, but Carolina has made some interesting changes for 2007. Fox fired offensive coordinator Dan Henning and brings in Jeff Davidson to run the offense. Davidson has brought in zone-blocking schemes to the Panther offense, a dramatic change for a system that's been built around a power-running style.
In zone-blocking, offensive linemen are responsible for blocking any defender who appears in their zone, instead of focusing on one defender. The Broncos and Falcons have had success with the system, which features smaller, more athletic offensive linemen and can create running lanes on the inside and outside. Keep an eye in preseason on how Carolina adjusts as it will take time to learn the system. Fox has been one of the top coaches in preseason, with a 15-5 SU, 12-7-1 ATS August record.
Dallas Cowboys: WR Terrell Owens is still here, but QB Drew Bledsoe and Bill Parcells are gone. New head coach Wade Phillips takes over, replacing Parcells. He ran the Chargers defense last season. Phillips was chosen by teary-eyed owner Jerry Jones partly because he is one of the best 3-4 coaches in football and the Cowboys have loaded up on players for that scheme.
Remember that Phillips was blitz-happy with the Chargers last season and early reports out of the Dallas camp have mentioned how the Cowboys have been blitzing a lot, a departure from Parcells. The theme of the 2007 Dallas defense appears to be one of attack.
MySportsbook is considered one of the finest football sportsbooks according to several surveys performed by independent industry analysts considering such factors as payout accuracy and timeliness, overall quality of website, and bettor satisfaction.
MySportsbook is a large company with strong financial backing. Considered the best sportsbook for betting football online You will find their customer service is second to none and their web site is extremely user friendly and easy-to-use. All major professional sports games are available. Once you signup with MySportsbook, you may never use another online sportsbook again.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your nfl football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Sports Betting News: Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting