NFL betting

Wrigley Field was built in 1914, but didn’t open until 1916, when it was called Weeghman Park. It was remaned Wrigley Field in 1926, with the name coming from William Wrigley Jr., who was the owner of the Cubs at the time after he purchased them with money from his chewing-gum empire. Wrigley Field was also the home of the Bears from 1921 to 1970 before they built Soldier Field, but since, it’s been the home of the Cubs. The capacity is 41,118, making it the 10th-smallest stadium in the major leagues.

But as small as it is, there are few stadiums that can top Wrigley Field for atmosphere. The ivy-covered walls are instantly recognizable, and along with Fenway Park, Wrigley Field is one of the last stadiums anywhere to have a hand-turned scoreboard. Then there’s the “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” tradition, sung by legendary announcer Harry Caray when he started with the Cubs in 1978. When he passed away in 1997, the tradition lived, and now, celebrities and other sports stars will often be brought out to lead the Chicago fans in song.

While the Cubs may not be a very good team right now, heading to Wrigley Field is something that every sports fan and MLB betting player should have on their bucket list.

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Capacity: 36,984

Few professional sports venues in North America can compete with the tradition of the oldest sports venue still in use today, America’s Most Beloved Ballpark, Fenway Park. Since it first opened in April in 1912, 4 Yawkey Way in Boston, Massachusetts has been one of the premiere sports betting destinations. Home to the Boston Patriots, and Boston Braves in years past, the Fens is now only the home of the Boston Red Sox, the team that played in the park since it first opened.

Whether it’s the famous Green Monster, the triangle out in left field, or the “Williamsburg”, the features that make up the identity of the oldest ballpark in MLB betting history are recognized by sports and trivia friends from not only all over the continent, but all over the world. Expanded all the way to the street side near Kenmore Square Boston University, Fenway Park rests in an area few would recognize as being the proper location for a baseball field, but whether it’s David Ortiz hitting a bomb deep to left field, or Jon Lester bringing the crowd to its feet, fans have kept coming to the Fens over the years. In May of 2003, the Red Sox sold out for the 456^th consecutive time, which set the record for most consecutive sellouts in the majors, a streak that continue to this day. The host to the NHL’s 2010 Winter Classic, Fenway Park is recognized as one of the greatest sports venues of all-time

Location:

Capacity: 52,325

The original Yankee stadium was built in 1923 and fans betting on the team could enjoy both regular season and playoff matchups at the old Yankee stadium until 2008. In 2009, the New York Yankees led by Captain Derek Jeter and star third baseman Alex Rodriguez, switched to the New Yankee stadium, located across the street from the old Yankee stadium. One thing that did not change when the Yankees switched stadiums, was their tradition of winning championships, as in the inaugural year of the new stadium, the Yankees once again became World Series champions.

Although winning the World Series last year for the first time in nine years, fans betting on the team to win their first ever game at the new stadium, were treated to a rude welcoming as the team was defeated by the last place Cleveland Indians 10 to two. This season however, Yankee fans have much to cheer about at the new stadium as the team is the leader of the American League East and currently boasts a 25 and 10 record at home.

With the creation of the new Yankee stadium, it represents a changing of the guard, as the old Yankee stadium, was filled with historic moments overshadowing today’s team. By building the new stadium, owner George Steinbrenner, has created a new home, pressure free for current and future players to create their own history. In addition to providing a new ball park to the teams current crop of players, the new Yankee stadium maintains the traditions of the old stadium, as it still has banners of past championships, retired jerseys and a museum with all of the gear of past Yankee legends.

In the April 16^th defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Indians, to kickoff the opening of the new Yankee Stadium, Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore became the first player to hit a grand slam in the new ball park. Other firsts, for the new stadium, included hall of fame catcher Yogi Berra throwing out the first pitch on opening day, and current staff ace CC Sabathia won the first playoff game at the new Yankee Stadium. Furthermore, the new stadium can hold between 50 to 52,000 fans and has been host to a number of non baseball events. The most recent event was the first ever outdoor boxing match in New York on June 5^th 2010, as Orthodox Jewish Rabbinical student and former champion Yuri Forman was defeated by knockout sensation Miguel Cotto. The event was the first boxing match in the Bronx since 1976.

The first game which goes tonight from Coors Field is a dream match pitching wise, as the Rockies send staff ace and potential CY Young award winner Ubaldo Jimenez to the mound, while the Blue Jays will look to counter with future ace Ricky Romero. To say both pitchers have been dominant this season would be an understatement. Jimenez leads the entire MLB with a 0.93 earned runs average and 11 wins, while Romero has had two complete games and flirted with a no hitter earlier this season. The Blue Jays bats have been silenced over the last five games, only achieving three runs in that time frame. The task of scoring runs will be even more difficult tonight when they face Jimenez for the first time.  However, the team leads the league in home runs and will be looking to use the long ball against Jimenez and the Rockies.

For the games on Saturday and Sunday, the pitching is also strong as the Jays will send flame thrower Brandon Morrow to the mound to face Jason Hammels. On Sunday it will be a battle of two pitchers returning from injury, as Rockies star Canadian pitcher Jeff Francis makes his fifth start since returning from the disabled list with a shoulder injury, and the Jays will counter with Jesse Litsch who has not pitched in the big leagues since May 2009.

Both teams are young and full of talent, and will look provide their fans with reasons to continue cheering them on.

The top four teams are the defending champions from New York, the Yankees (+325), 2008 runners-up Tampa Bay (+425), 2008 champions and 2009 runners-up Philadelphia (+645), and the 2006 champions from St. Louis (+805).   The Yankees and Rays are staging what could be an epic battle in the American League East, and both teams have great pitching and hitting.  The Phillies’ offense has struggled badly as of late, their pitching staff is still one of the best in the major leagues.  St. Louis have two Cy Young candidates leading their rotation and the probable National League MVP, and it’s tough to see anyone getting past them in the Central.

Minnesota (+1215), Boston (+1415), Atlanta (+1615) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (+1815) are in the next tier, and the Red Sox and Braves are the biggest surprises, but for different reasons.  The Red Sox have been battered by injuries and their starting pitching has been terrible.  The Braves have played well above their talent level, and they have a Rookie of the Year candidate powering a surprising offense.  The Twins are the same old consistent Twins that are always there at the end of the season, while the Dodgers are just trying to avoid a second half like they had in 2009.  The online sports betting race for the World Series is just heating up.

Annually the division and wild card are battled over all the way until the final weekend of the regular season. For the majority of the season, the difference between whoever is in first place and whoever is in last place in the West is only two to five games. As well, for the last few years, the Giants and Diamondbacks are usually out of the race by July, however this year both of those teams look to be getting stronger.

To start the season, the Padres, Giants and Dodgers each got off to strong starts, while the Diamondbacks and Rockies struggled out of the gate. Lately, the Diamondbacks have continued to struggle while the Rockies appear to be rounding into form. Last night the two clubs faced each other in the series finale, with the Rockies claiming an eight to three victory. The Rockies led by stars Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez reeled off three consecutive home runs in the romp.

Currently, the Padres continue to lead the division, however with the Rockies rounding into form and the Dodgers and Giants gaining steam, the NL West looks to be headed for another dramatic end to the regular season.

Former MLB All-Star, Jose Lima, who was 37-years-old, died of a heart attack on Sunday, which shocked the world. Lima was not known to have any health conditions, so it came as a big surprise. He is survived by his wife and five children.

Lima used to call his pitching outings “Lima Time” and he had a very vibrant personality. He had a couple of fantastic seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros throughout his career and had recently joined the Dodgers alumni squad.

He will be missed and it serves as a reminder of just how fragile life actually is. A lot of Latin born players around the Majors were surprised and those who bet on sports will see a number of commemorations for him in the coming days. Players such as David Ortiz, Jose Reyes and Jose Guillen were very close with Lima and Guillen will wear his initials to commemorate him.

Sports betting lines will still go on and we will all miss Lima Time, who was taken from us too soon.

Thursday night the Detroit Tigers were able to accomplish their second shutout in their last three games as they defeated the New York Yankees six to nothing. The Tigers other shutout was in the first of a two game double header on Wednesday in which they won two to nothing before being shut out eight to nothing. On Thursday staff ace Justin Verlander pitched six and two thirds innings picking up four strikeouts and walks a piece. In a pitching match in which sports betting websites would have had Yankees starter CC Sabathia as the odds on favorite, Verlander was able to out duel the big lefty. Tiger’s first baseman Miguel Cabrera continued his strong play against the defending World Series champions as he hit a solo home run and drove in three.

Month And A Half Into Season Reigning Cy Young Award Winner Picks Up First Win As Ship Gets Righted in Kansas

Royals fans finally have something to cheer about in an otherwise forgettable season, as reigning American League Cy Young award winner Zach Greinke finally picked up his first win of the season. Greinke’s win comes as a pleasant surprise for the Royals after they fired manager Trey Tillman prior to the game, however they did allow him to stay on for the game. Tillman will be replaced by former Brewers manager Ned Yost. Although MLB betting odds are against the Royals, Yost as portrayed by his time in Milwaukee has the ability to build a contender out of struggling franchises. The Royals, led by Greinke, are one of the youngest teams in the league and with the proper guidance by a manager of Yost’s caliber, fans should expect the Royals to contend in the Central in a few years when Greinke, Butler, and Gordon all enter the primes of their careers.

The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are expected by many analysts to repeat as League Champions.  They will surely contend for the World Series, but there may be a couple sleepers to keep your eye out for as the season progresses.

In the AL, a team that is perennially underrated and ignored is the Minnesota Twins.  Their pitching is ignored, and outside of Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer, the team is unrecognizable in most markets.  The wild card will come out of the AL East, with either the Yankees or Rays, or perhaps still the Red Sox, taking the fourth and final spot. The Twins, however, are in first in their division and have all the tools needed to take the division for the second straight season. They face competition from the Tigers and White Sox, but neither team will run away with the division. A new stadium, a new contract for their hometown star Mauer, and strong pitching by Francisco Liriano and Carl Pavano have the Twins on track for the playoffs, where anything can happen.

Moving to the NL, a big surprise so far this season may be a big surprise in the postseason. The San Francisco Giants, 12-9, are lead by three great starting pitchers, and some clutch hitting.  They are tied for the league lead with a plus 33 run differential. The division is wide open, but should they win the NL West, the triad of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Barry Zito is enough to win any series and take down the best pitching. If the team stays healthy, they will be a force to contend with.

Grapefruit League play continues as opening day looms in the hearts and minds of baseball fans the world over.

As the 2010 season fast approaches, teams begin to whittle down lists of potential prospects. The Braves and the Mets both have some interesting young
players that could prove to be serious talent, given the right roles and the right opportunities.

For the Atlanta Braves, perhaps no one is more exciting than Jason Heyward. The number one prospect overall on MLB.com’s Top 50 list, Heyward has had
some trouble with injuries which have limited his playing time. Heyward hasn’t let that deter his campaign, as the young prospect made the most of his
time at the plate by hitting .323/.408/.555. At the tender age of 20, this young man is still developing his power. Sportsbook odds makers will look for him to make some noise this year - he now occupies the right
field spot for Atlanta.

Another prospect that has Braves’ fans salivating is 18-year-old RHP Julio Teheran. Teheran throws heat and earned his promotion after posting a 2.68
ERA and decimating competition in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. A player with wisdom beyond his years, look for Teheran to be a force for
Atlanta on the mound.

For the Mets, youngster Wilmer Flores is an exciting prospect, as is Fernando Martinez. While Flores is underwhelming on paper, he is a fresh-faced 18
year old who many believe has barely displayed flashes of his full talent. Martinez, for his part, is in a similar situation. Sportsbook odds makers believe his numbers are belying his potential, and many are looking for the
outfielder to prove his doubters wrong - especially now that he is fully recovered from knee surgery.