Rounding Third: Linsanity would never happen in MLB
Baseball Betting Lines
02/13/2012 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The whole sports world seems to be enamored with what's going on with the New York Knicks and Jeremy Lin. It's become a story that has transcended not only the National Basketball Association, but all of sports.
In case you've been living under a rock for the past week, Lin was the 12th man on the Knicks' bench, but was given a chance on Feb. 4 against the New Jersey Nets and since then has set the NBA world on fire. His inspired play has helped the Knicks win five straight games and have led some to amazingly question how Carmelo Anthony fits on the team now.
It's truly Linsanity.
Lin jerseys are flying off the shelves as quickly as they are put on. Time Warner Cable and MSG Networks, who have been feuding since the start of the NBA season, now have the added pressure of coming to some sort of agreement because New Yorkers want their Lin, who has already donned the cover of the New York Times three times.
It's an incredible story. A true rags-to-riches turnaround. But, unfortunately one that would never see the light of day in Major League Baseball.
At least not anymore.
You see MLB fans have become so jaded over the past 10 years or so that if someone like Lin burst upon that scene, he would immediately be subject to steroid speculation. Heck, baseball fans are wary of their biggest stars these days, let alone the 25th player on the bench.
Pitchers sometimes come out of nowhere. Not to this extent, but it happens. Can you imagine Ramiro Pena or Wilson Valdez or a Esteban German being the driving force offensively and changing the entire perception of their teams?
Actually, those three are 10 times more likely to do it than Lin. That's how big a long shot this was.
Thankfully, pitchers and catchers report in less than a week and we can get back to talking about-on-the-field issues.
YANKS, PIRATES DISCUSSING A.J. BURNETT DEAL
In some actual baseball news, the New York Yankees may have found themselves a sucker, er, a potential suitor, for right-hander A.J. Burnett. Apparently the Yanks are deep into talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates to send the underachieving pitcher to the Steel City for a ton of cash and a few minor leaguers.
Why the Yankees are even haggling at this point is beyond me? As soon as the Pirates said they were interested, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman should have agreed to the deal - any deal.
In a bizarre twist, the Yanks want to deal Burnett and are willing to eat a good portion of the $33 million owed to him to free up a little more dough to go and add a couple of bats.
Yes, that's right, the Pirates are taking some of Burnett's salary off the Yankees' hands so New York can free up a few million and go sign Raul Ibanez or Johnny Damon. Luckily there are teams like the Pirates to absorb some salary, so teams like the Yankees can get by.
Either way it's a no-brainer for the Yanks. Aside from the World Series title in 2009, one the Yanks don't win without Burnett by the way, he has been an utter disaster, putting forth two of the worst statistical seasons ever by a Yankees starter over the last two years.
If this deal goes down here in the coming days, Burnett would have been paid $1.45 million for each of his 34 wins in the last three years with the Yanks.
And poor Jeremy Lin was sleeping on a couch just last week.
Not bad work if you can get it.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Clippers hope to tie a bow on a successful road trip by securing their first win in over five years in North Texas when they take on the reigning NBA champion Mavericks. The Clips have lost nine straight in
<< Suns start tough stretch in Oakland vs. Warriors
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Phoenix will begin a grueling three games in three nights
stretch in Oakland tonight against the Golden State Warriors.
The Suns have won three straight on the road, including Saturday's 98-84 win
in Sacramento, and 11 of
<< Syracuse visits Louisville in pivotal Big East clash
Louisville, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tied with top-ranked Kentucky for the best
overall record in the nation, the Syracuse Orange hit the road tonight to
clash with the Louisville Cardinals in a Big East Conference showdown at the
KFC Yum! Center.
<< Cyclones blow into Waco seeking upset of Bears
Waco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The tie for third place in the Big 12 Conference
Standings will be broken tonight, as the Iowa State Cyclones square off with
the Baylor Bears at the Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas.
The Cyclones have played Baylor
<< Jayhawks and Wildcats mix it up in Manhattan
Manhattan, KS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sunflower State rivals square off in
Manhattan this evening, as the Kansas Jayhawks pay a visit to the Kansas State
Wildcats in an important Big 12 Conference clash.
After a December 19 loss to Davidson, Kans
Foxborough, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New England Revolution announced on Monday that the club has acquired forward Saer Sene on a free transfer from Bayern Munich. Sene has spent the past two-and-a-half years playing with Bayern
Packers make changes to offensive staff >>
Green Bay, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy
announced a few changes to the club's offensive staff on Monday.
Jerry Fontenot will move from running backs coach to tight ends coach for
2012, while Ben
Speir completes Western Carolina coaching staff >>
Cullowhee, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Western Carolina first-year head football
coach Mark Speir has completed his coaching staff by adding defensive
coordinator responsibilities to linebackers coach Curtis Walker and naming
Steve Sisa the defensive
Randy Moss apparently planning a comeback >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Randy Moss is apparently planning a
comeback.
Moss decided to retire last August after 13 NFL seasons and told an audience
on UStream.tv Monday about trying to return for 2012. He just turned 35
Report: Garland headed to Cleveland >>
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Indians have reportedly agreed
to a minor league contract with veteran pitcher Jon Garland.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the pact includes an invitation to
spring training if the
NFL Football Betting : Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super Bowl
The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.
Most sports fans would agree that these two teams top the list to win it all before the season even begins. In the BetUS Sportsbook football futures, the Colts are +800 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys are sitting at +1000 and the Super Bowl XLIV champions New Orleans Saints at +900. In the AFC South, the Colts won the division for five straight years after the 2002 realignment, before the Tennessee Titans won it in 2008. But the Colts came back strong in 2009 to win the division again en route to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East, as well as to advance far into the post season. The Cowboys won the division last season before their horrendous loss in the NFC Divisional playoff to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. But the ‘Boys will take that loss humbly and be ready for the playoffs this time around.
The NFC South is also very strong, at +600 in the NFL futures, considering that it is home to the defending Super Bowl champions. However, some predictions have the Atlanta Falcons with possibilities of claiming the divisional title this season in place of the Saints, as no team has won back-to-back division championships since the division realignment took place. Let’s not overlook the AFC North at +500. As TO goes to Cincinnati to join Chad OchoCinco and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, this team looks to claim the division title again. And it is likely they will do so. The Bengals lost in the AFC Wild Card spot in a hard-fought battle against the New York Jets last season. Lest not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers, the XLII Super Bowl Champions… All these teams present interesting odds and matchups for the upcoming season, but the safest and surest bet seems to be with the Colts in the AFC South and the Cowboys in the NFC East. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.