08/08/2008 - Commerce City, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Rapids, coming off a bye week, host a Toronto FC team that has just one win away from BMO Field this season at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday.
Toronto FC have also won just once in eight league games.
That will be a huge advantage for the Rapids, especially with TFC coming off its first home loss of the season in which two starters - defender Marco Velez and midfielder Amado Guevara - earned red cards and will be suspended Saturday.
Forward Jeff Cunningham also will not be available for the Reds after he was traded to FC Dallas on Friday. Add that to injuries to Todd Dunivant, Danny Dichio and Laurent Robert as well as the absences of Marvell Wynne and Maurice Edu, who will be away with the U.S. Olympic team, and that leaves TFC very shorthanded.
"It's frightening. I don't know if you noticed but we only had five on the bench," Toronto coach John Carver said after the loss last week at home. "There's a reason for that - they've got to prove to me that they're good enough to play and get on the bench. Now, we've got two away at the Olympics, we've got Danny [Dichio] who - we don't when he's coming back - we've got Todd [Dunivant] who's been taken off due to a long-term injury. I think we might have to get Nick Dasovic [Academy head coach] to put his boots on."
One positive for the Reds is it will have forward Chad Barrett, who came over in a trade with Chicago and played 70 minutes last week before suffering from cramps.
"Two weeks off and playing here two days on turf, it's going to happen to you," Barrett said. "I half-expected it, really. I hope it didn't happen on the shot because I really thought I had an open lane to the far post. [The fitness situation] is going to change. We've got great trainers here ... and we're going to work everything out for me to play 90 minutes."
"Well, he did some good things, he did have many opportunities," Carver said of Barrett. "I think he's more of a poacher. He's not a spectacular goal-man, although he did have a chance there in the second half. The more he gets to know the guys the more he'll get on, and I think he's got goals in him. He needs to work on his fitness, we need to get him put aside with [strength and conditioning coach Paul Winsper] and do some special work."
The Rapids will be healthy heading into the game and are desperate for a win not earning one since a July 4 victory over New York.
<< Hibernian signs midfielder Yantorno
Edinburgh, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Gretna midfielder Fabian Yantorno
has signed a two-year contract with Hibernian after successfully overcoming a
serious knee injury.
The 25-year-old Uruguayan impressed during the first half
<< Orville Moody passes away at 74
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Orville Moody, the 1969 U.S. Open
champion, passed away in Texas on Friday. No cause of death was released.
Moody later claimed the 1989 U.S. Senior Open making him one of seven players
to captur
<< Texans release RB Bell, sign OT Tucker
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Texans released running back
Mike Bell on Friday, just eight days after signing him.
The move was necessitated by the signing of offensive tackle Torrin Tucker, an
undrafted free agent out
<< New York desperate for win against D.C. United
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull New York's winless skid moved
to seven matches Wednesday, but it's tough to criticize the Major League Soccer
team for a loss to Barcelona.
Barcelona defeated the Red Bulls 6-2, and afterward
Sabres re-sign D Numminen >>
Buffalo, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Sabres re-signed defenseman
Teppo Numminen to a one-year contract Friday.
Numminen, who had surgery done to repair a faulty heart valve in September
of 2007, returned to play in Buffa
Sprint Cup qualifying at Watkins Glen rained out >>
Watkins Glen, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rain forced cancellation of Friday's
qualifying for the Centurion Boats at The Glen at Watkins Glen International.
Morning practice was also scrubbed because of inclement weather.
By rule, the sta
Ferguson predicts long career at Man U for Ronaldo >>
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester United manager Sir Alex
Ferguson is convinced Cristiano Ronaldo will enjoy a long career at Old
Trafford.
The 23-year-old Portugal international, linked with a transfer to Rea
Aberdeen completes Wright signing >>
Aberdeen, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aberdeen has finally completed the
signing of Darlington striker Tommy Wright on a three-year contract.
The 23-year-old has signed a three-year contract at Pittodrie, having seen the
move held up
Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year
Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month.
With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.
Randy Foye of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be set to give Roy the best competition NBA Rookie of the Year betting lines. With the benching of Mike James, Foye looks like he could be the starter in the T-Wolves backcourt for the rest of the season. So far, Foye has averaged 9 PPG and 2.4 assists in just under 21 minutes per game. With his new role of starter, Foye’s numbers will definitely increase. In his first game as the new starting guard this past Sunday, Foye had 10 points; five rebounds and 8 assists. More importantly, he logged 34 minutes of playing time; his third highest run of the season.
Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.
Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting