In making their 15 appearance in the playoffs in 16 years, the defending champing Yankees appear vulnerable heading into the postseason. The Yankees, who are trying to be the first team to repeat since they did it in 1998-2000, finished the season 13-17 and missed winning the division by one game to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Oswalt coming over has made the Phils a monster for teams to contend with this post seasonThe Cincinnati Reds, who won the NL Central, are making their first playoff appearance since 1995. And, for that effort, they get to face the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies have won their fourth straight NL East title, and are trying to win the pennant for the third straight time. The Phillies were seven games back of the Atlanta Braves in July, but made a push and won the East by six games. The Reds were not expected to hang on, but the St. Louis Cardinals faded in the second half of the season and were not a threat in September.
The Tampa Bay Rays finished the American League with the best record and that gives them home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs. But because the wild-card team is in their division (Yankees), the Rays do not get to face the wild-card team. They get the Texas Rangers and left-handed ace Cliff Lee in the opener. It hardly seems fair.
Garnett and the Celtics are a year older but still the favorites to win the Atlantic Division according to the odds makersTraining camps have begun and tip-off is less than a month away, so it’s time to preview the upcoming NBA season. With all the movement in the offseason it is likely that some new teams will rise to the tops of their divisions. Let’s take a look at the Atlantic Division. – All odds according to Pinnacle Sportsbook, although other places like Bodog offer online NBA betting on these props as well.
The week 5 nfl odds are posted on our live point spreads pageThe NFL seems to have its most competitive season yet. Parity is the norm, and no one team is head and shoulders above the rest. Pittsburgh looked to be the early season favorite, but they couldn’t handle the Ravens at home. Indy had played great football the past two weeks, but lost to the hapless Jags on a last second, 59 yard field goal. And the defending champs nearly lost another home game, this time to the Panthers and their rookie quarterback, Jimmy Clausen.
College football odds for week 6 are now live and postedThe fifth week of the college football season helped to answer some questions. Yes, Alabama is that good. Yes, USC’s defense is that bad. Yes, Oregon has a chance to play for the national championship. No, Ohio State won’t run over the Big 10. No, the Big 12 isn’t as good as it used to be. No, Miami and Iowa aren’t out of the national championship discussion just yet.
Troy Trojans at Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Tuesday, 10/5/10, 8:00 PM EDT, TV: ESPN2
Opening Point Spread: Middle Tennessee State -2.5
Current Betting Line: Middle Tennesee State -3
Opening Total: 59.5
Current Total: 62.5
Current Moneyline: Middle Tennessee State -160/Troy +140
Chicago Bears at New York Giants, New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Sunday, October 3, 2010, 8:20 pm EST, TV: NBC
Opening Line: Giants -3
Current Line: Giants -3.5
Opening Total: 42.5
Current Total: 44
Money Line: Giants -190 / Bears +160 Odds Taken From Bookmaker Sportsbook who offers NFL betting all season long.
Wiseguys are including the Browns on their NFL football picks portfolioThe Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals hook up this Sunday for an AFC North divisional battle. Of course the game of the day is Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore, but wiseguys haven’t forgotten about the other divisional match-up.