Southpaws: The Ned Flanders of Major League Baseball

A good southpaw is always a boost to a team’s baseball betting odds, but they’re few and far between. However, when they’re good, they’re real, real good. Here’s the best of who would shop at Ned Flanders’ Leftorium store…..if they lived in Springfield….and if Springfield was real.

Johan Santana, New York Mets

“Johan the Great” is still one of the best pitchers in the game, and like Ned Flanders, he looks up to a man called Jesus, except this was his father, who played in the Dominican Republic. After a slow start to his career, Santana went on to snatch a pair of Cy Young awards with Minnesota before moving to the Big Apple, when he led the majors in ERA. He’s probably the only pitcher I would have on my squad other than Toronto’s Roy Halladay, and offshore sportsbook odds should have him near the top of the Cy Young list once again.

C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees

Another AL Cy Young winner who left for the National League, Sabathia almost stole the MVP and Cy Young awards in just over a half-year’s time by dragging Milwaukee to the playoffs. He then went on to sign a gigantic contract for the Yankees (who else), who were then made the top team b... [More]

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Top Five MLB Players Over 40

Doing some College World Series betting recently, it was interesting to look at guys like Dustin Ackley, barely out of their teens yet about to break into the pros, then watching Randy Johnson win his 300th game in the Majors. The Unit is more than double the age of these kids yet is still performing at a pretty high level. I’m guessing gambling software never would’ve predicted 20 years ago that Randy would still be going strong at age 45.

Let’s look at the top five MLB players 40 years old and older – grey hair and moustaches earn extra points! Sorry, clean-cut Jamie Moyer – you didn’t make the cut.

5. Gary Sheffield

Sheff, famous for his bat waggle, has quietly had a great career – maybe even Hall-of-Fame worthy. He’s not the feared middle-of-the-order presence was a few years ago but he still has pop and he’s helped the Mets stay afloat this season.

4. Tim Wakefield

The knuckleballer lives! The noodle-armed Wakefield keeps chugging along. He’s in his 15th season with the Red Sox and he continues to help their ... [More]

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Tiger tops list of best US Open moments

As players prepare their US Open betting odds for this year’s tournament starting Thursday at Bethpage Black, it’s time to take a look back at the past and relive the best of the best in the top American golf tournament. Of course, Tiger Woods is the favorite in your offshore sportsbook this week, and he leads the way in this list as well.

Tiger vs Rocco at Torrey Pines (2008)

We knew Tiger was hurt before he went into Torrey Pines last year, but we didn’t know the extent until later: a double stress fracture in his left knee, along with a torn ACL. Rocco Mediate was a sectional qualifier and had no business pushing the world’s No.1 player, but there he was with a one-shot lead going into the 72nd hole. Tiger hits a 12-foot putt to force an 18-hole Monday playoff, the first playoff since 2001. After going back and forth for 17 holes, Tiger birdied the 18th again to force a one-hole playoff, and Mediate couldn’t match his par. It was quite possibly the sports moment of 2008.

Tiger runs the table at Pebble Beach (2000)

Woods wins his first US Open at venerable Pebble Beach, but it wasn’t just a victory, it was a total annihilation of the field. Woods won by 15 strokes with a -12, the only golfer to finish above par on the ... [More]

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The Worst NBA Players to Have Championship Rings

NBA Finals odds players are still waiting to see Orlando’s J.J. Redick and Los Angeles’ Adam Morrison on the court at the same time, as these two are generally regarded to be a couple of the biggest draft busts currently in the NBA, relegated to joke status after glittering college career. So we got to thinking: who are the worst players in recent history to somehow weasel their way into an NBA championship ring?

Jack Haley

The 6’10” center made bigger contributions to the 1996 Bulls team off the court than on it, as he was basically on the team to control Dennis Rodman, the wild forward who went down as one of the best rebounders in the NBA. Haley and Rodman became friends when they played for San Antonio, and Haley was the only player in Chicago that Rodman would trust. Haley’s 3.2 points per game and 2.7 rebounding average over his career has to be some kind of record.

Dickey Simpkins

Simpkins, another Bulls player, “earned” three rings in 1996, 1997 and 1998, but only played in one of those playoff runs, which means he definitely wasn’t a factor in Chicago’s NBA Finals odds. Simpkins had averages of 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds over his spectacular eight-year career, but hey, the dude came out... [More]

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NBA Draft Top 5

Whether it’s the Orlando Magic or the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA Finals odds are coming to an end shortly and the focus will quickly shift to the NBA Draft. Here’s a look at a mock draft with the top five picks.

1. Los Angeles Clippers

NBA odds makers favor: Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin is the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. The Los Angeles Clippers have all but announced this pick, and there’s pretty much no better option for them to take. With players like Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby, Al Thornton and Eric Gordon, the Clippers have more talent than people think, and with Griffin in the mix, this team has a chance to go from outhouse to penthouse in the West next year.

2. Memphis Grizzlies

NBA odds makers favor: Hasheen Thabeet

The Memphis Grizzlies have built up a decent roster and were quietly competitive – by their standards – in 2008-09. But they still lack front court depth and adding a big defensive like Hasheem Thabeet to the mix makes a lot of sense. He’ll play alongside Marc Gasol to start, which should give the Grizzlies their best ... [More]

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All-Time Worst MLB Draft Picks

Most MLB betting fans shrug off the draft every time it rolls around, as it’s about 4, 593 rounds long and has 10, 20, 100 guys who never make an impact on online baseball betting for every one player who does. It’s thus harder to label high picks “busts” in the same way you can do it in football or basketball. However, we can at least say that first-overall picks have high expectations, so let’s look at a few of the worst-all time selections – especially relative to the guys taken right after them.

Not included: guys taken within the last five years, as ballplayers take a long time to mature (just ask Cliff Lee).

5. B.J. Surhoff – 1985, Milwaukee Brewers

Notable players taken after him: Barry Bonds, Barry Larkin, Rafael Palmeiro

Don’t get me wrong – Surhoff was by no means a bust No .1 pick. But, I’m sorry, look at the guys Milwaukee could’ve had! That’s Hall of – well, uh, would’ve been three Hall of Famers if not for PEDs!

4. Matt Anderson – 1997, Detroit Tigers

Notable players taken after him: Lance Berkman, Vernon Wells, Troy Glaus, J.D. Drew