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
MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South
In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
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