Betting on Basketball

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Head coach Phil Jackson has decided to return to the team for his 11th season behind the bench and his return means the Lakers will start the 2010-2011 season as the Internet sports betting favorite. The Lakers would not have been favored in Internet sports betting if Jackson had retired, so sports betting odds on the Lakers will list them as short-priced favorites to win their third straight title next season. Jackson is the one coach in the NBA who makes a huge difference. The Hall of Fame coach has 11 championships between the Lakers and Chicago Bulls. Jackson will be returning to go for three in a row with the Lakers. The Bulls won three straight from 1991-93 and 1996-98 with Jackson as head coach. The Lakers have won five titles in ten years with Jackson as head coach. Sports betting statistics indicate that he has led the team to the finals in seven of those ten seasons. Any questions of whether he is the best coach in NBA history should have been put to rest. Many of the players on the Lakers expected Jackson to return next season as did many sports betting gamblers. The only issue was his health and he got a favorable report from his doctors. There could still be the question of money with Jackson’s contract having expired but owner Jerry Buss is simply going to have to pay Jackson to return and go for three in a row. Jackson has been the coach of 11 of the last 20 NBA Champions. In his 19-year career, he has a record of 1,098-460. That translates into a .705 winning percentage. That is the best percentage in NBA history. He should be able to win at a similar rate next season with the Lakers. Los Angeles returns with virtually their entire championship team led by Kobe Bryant. The Lakers have Bryant, Pau Gasol and Ron Artest signed up in addition to Lamar Odom. They also have just re-signed Derek Fisher and now they're ready to make another run at the championship. Sports betting odds on the Lakers will be low again next season with Jackson as the head coach and their top players returning.

Commencement of a Legend: What Junior Deserves

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He wants to keep it quiet in order to spare the Mariners a distraction. No glitz. No farewell tour. Not even a Wal-Mart ice cream cake in the clubhouse. Why? Well, no one had a clue that Ken Griffey Jr.—one of the game’s most influential players and role models—would retire hours before a game against the Twins at Safeco a couple weeks ago. Just like that he was finished with professional baseball. Cold turkey.

Mauer finalizes $184M deal with Twins

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Twins signed C Joe Mauer to an eight-year, $184 million contract extension. The Twins weren't about to let this one get away. The Saint Paul native gets the fourth biggest pact in the history of the sport -- only Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez (twice) signed larger deals. Mauer, who doesn't even turn 27 until April, won the American League MVP Award last season on the strength of a .365/.444/.587 batting line to go along with a career high 28 homers, 96 RBI and 1.031 OPS. He's already won three batting titles and has consecutive Gold Glove Awards under his belt. Where he'll be playing on the diamond even five years from now is open to debate, but this is a calculated risk worth taking for a team about to move into a new stadium.

Talks heating up between Mauer and Twins?

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According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the agent for Joe Mauer, Ron Shapiro, hung around for a second day at Twins camp Friday. Shapiro arrived in Fort Myers on Thursday and decided to extend the trip. Rosenthal suggests his presence could mean a contract extension is afoot. Mauer, 26, hit .365/.444/.587 with a career-high 28 home runs and 96 RBI in 2009 and is thought to be seeking a deal worth at least $20 million per year over at least seven years. Stay tuned

Tigers' Cabrera puts issues in past

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LAKELAND, Fla. -- Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera wants to clear a few things up after an ugly incident last fall, right before his team surrendered the American League Central Division title to the Twins. First, he's done drinking alcohol. And he's not an alcoholic. "You guys write in the paper 'alcoholic,' that's not right," the Detroit first baseman said Monday before the Tigers' morning workout at spring training. "I don't know how to explain, but it's not an alcohol problem." Five months ago, Cabrera went 0 for 4 and stranded six runners in a 5-1 loss to Chicago. That game started about 12 hours after Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski picked him up at a police station following a fight with his wife -- apparently after a late night out.

American League Baseball Championship Series

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2009 MLB Playoff Series Prices

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The New York Yankees had to wait until the winner of the Detroit Tigers-Minnesota Twins one-gamer but all the divisional series matchups are finally set.

Scenes From a Classic: Twins Win AL Central

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Were it not for two significant NFL happenings this morning, the sports world would still be buzzing about last night’s MLB play-in game, won by the Twins in 12 innings.

MLB Playoff: Minnesota vs. Detroit Preview

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Betting Baseball - The Playoff Race

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Betting baseball, the playoff race at betrepublic.com offers winning baseball picks nfl betting kicks in & Major League Baseball pennant races starts at betrepublic

Pavano a Twin

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Twins acquired RHP Carl Pavano from the Indians for a player to be named. Pavano is owed about $500,000 for the rest of the season. He's not the most consistent pitcher in the world, but his presence in the Twins' rotation should help ease the pain of losing Kevin Slowey (wrist) for the rest of the season. The 33-year-old will bring a 5.37 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP to Minnesota. Justin Masterson will take over for him in Cleveland's starting rotation.

Contending Twins acquire Cabrera

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Manny and Papi tested positive for Steroids!!!

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Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz were among the 104 major league players listed as having tested positive for performance-enhancing substances in 2003, lawyers with knowledge of the results told The New York Times.

The Daily Truth 7-16: Stop the Crying

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You will hear about things that irk PJ everyday now!

The Yankees have been VERY hot!

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Miracle Teams to make it to the Big game part 2

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MLB Playoff Power Rankings

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MLB power rankings By Aram Tolegian

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1 Cubs 85-50 1 1/13 The good: Aramis Ramirez has been relatively quiet this season, but perhaps his two-homer performance on Saturday means a stretch-run breakout is looming. The bad: Derrek Lee left Saturday's game with back spasms. The good: Aramis Ramirez has been relatively quiet this season, but perhaps his two-homer performance on Saturday means a stretch-run breakout is looming. The bad: Derrek Lee left Saturday's game with back spasms. Lee, like Ramirez, has been good, but not great this year. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 2 Rays 81-51 1 1/24 The good: The Rays have counted on Rocco Baldelli throughout the years only to get burned. But now with Carl Crawford gone and Evan Longoria hurting, Baldelli is actually coming through. The good: The Rays have counted on Rocco Baldelli throughout the years only to get burned. But now with Carl Crawford gone and Evan Longoria hurting, Baldelli is actually coming through. The bad: This should've been an easy upcoming week for the Rays, but the way the Jays are playing, there may not be a more feared team in the East. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 3 Angels 81-52 2 1/12 The good: We're not even to September and K-Rod has 50 saves. Let that be a sign the Halos will be just fine during close games in the postseason. The bad: The Angels rank in the league's bottom half in home runs, but that may not be an accurate indicator of the team's current capability since Mark Teixeira wasn't in the OC while the statistical damage was done. The good: We're not even to September and K-Rod has 50 saves. Let that be a sign the Halos will be just fine during close games in the postseason. The bad: The Angels rank in the league's bottom half in home runs, but that may not be an accurate indicator of the team's current capability since Mark Teixeira wasn't in the OC while the statistical damage was done. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 4 Twins 75-59 - 4/26 The good: We said last week that the Twins' performance vs. the Yanks was a stamp of quality. So what does their showing against the Angels mean? ChiSox beware. The bad: The Twins rank in the league's bottom 10 in home runs. The good: We said last week that the Twins' performance vs. the Yanks was a stamp of quality. So what does their showing against the Angels mean? ChiSox beware. The bad: The Twins rank in the league's bottom 10 in home runs. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 5 Brewers 77-56 - 5/23 The good: Despite a terrible first two months, J.J. Hardy has 20 homers and continues to thrive in the No. 2 hole. Chalk that up to Ned Yost making the switch. The bad: Ryan Braun's lower back issues don't appear to be going away. The good: Despite a terrible first two months, J.J. Hardy has 20 homers and continues to thrive in the No. 2 hole. Chalk that up to Ned Yost making the switch. The bad: Ryan Braun's lower back issues don't appear to be going away. That's an ominous sign for the stretch run and beyond. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 6 Red Sox 77-56 - 1/8 The good: Paul Byrd got his first Boston win last week. Byrd's arrival looks even better now that Josh Beckett is hurting/tingling. The bad: The Red Sox seem to lose their aura of invincibility a little more with each passing week. The good: Paul Byrd got his first Boston win last week. Byrd's arrival looks even better now that Josh Beckett is hurting/tingling. The bad: The Red Sox seem to lose their aura of invincibility a little more with each passing week. It's hard for us to believe this team is better than it was two months ago. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 7 White Sox 76-57 2 5/19 The good: The ChiSox lead the majors in homers and are in the top five in runs scored. The bad: The Twins are peaking at the right time and who knows just how long they can keep this going. The good: The ChiSox lead the majors in homers and are in the top five in runs scored. The bad: The Twins are peaking at the right time and who knows just how long they can keep this going. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 8 Mets 74-60 1 3/20 The good: Ryan Church is back after missing a significant chunk of time due to complications from multiple concussions. The bad: With Church's return, Fernando Tatis has been bumped back into a reserve role. The good: Ryan Church is back after missing a significant chunk of time due to complications from multiple concussions. The bad: With Church's return, Fernando Tatis has been bumped back into a reserve role. We're not sure Tatis isn't the better player. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 9 Cardinals 74-60 1 4/20 The good: Albert Pujols is giving every indication he'll finish the season with a rush. That's good news because there's no way Ryan Ludwick can be counted on to stay at this pace. The bad: If you're a believer that power pitching is what wins in the postseason, the Cards, who rank near the bottom of the league in Ks,

Schedule highlights: Season opens with champs versus King James

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The NBA's 2008-09 schedule is out ... and you know what that means. An equally anticipated document has to go with it: ESPN.com's first rundown of must-see games for the coming season to immediately input into your electronic calendar of choice. Oct. 28: Opening Night An earlier-than-usual launch to the season starts with a tasty TNT doubleheader, leading off with the new champs from Boston hosting LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers on ring night and capped by Greg Oden's long-awaited NBA debut in Blazers at Lakers. Oct. 29: Opening Night (continued) Elton Brand makes his 76ers debut in the same game that Jermaine O'Neal makes his official Raptors debut: Toronto at Philadelphia. Furtherm ore:Michael Beasley makes his pro debut at Madison Square Garden (along with Dwyane Wade's official return from injury) in Heat at Knicks, Ron Artest makes his Rockets debut in Memphis at Houston, and Oklahoma City makes its debut as a full-time NBA city with a visit from the Milwaukee Bucks. And ... ESPN dishes its own doubleheader doozy: Phoenix at San Antonio to renew year after year of recent playoff pleasantries, followed by Lakers at Clippers in a fitting bow for the Clips' new Angeleno point guard: Baron Davis. Oct. 30: Houston at Dallas (TNT) The Mavericks are one of two teams (along with Charlotte) that must wait until Thursday for their opening game, giving Mavs fans more time to fret that the Rockets' acquisition of Ron Artest reduces Dallas to the third-best team in Texas. Oct. 31: San Antonio at Portland (ESPN) The best of the Halloween fare, at least in NBA terms, is unquestionably Oden matching up with Tim Duncan. Nov. 1: Washington at Detroit (NBA TV) The league is still sorting out its full 96-game NBA TV schedule, but Wizards-Pistons has been confirmed as the opener of NBA TV's maiden doubleheader, which concludes with a Portland-at-Phoenix nightcap. [+] EnlargeJesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images If Yao can stay healthy, this could be a preview of the 2009 Finals. Nov. 4: Boston at Houston You don't have to wait long for a look at the NBA's reigning threesome of doom (Garnett, Pierce and Allen) throwing down against the new trio on the block (McGrady, Yao and Artest). P.S. How much playing time will the twins get in Phoenix at New Jersey ... also known as Robin Lopez at Brook Lopez? Nov. 5: Charlotte at New York Larry Brown returns to Madison Square Garden with his (latest) new team. We'll spare you the dates on Larry's returns to Denver, New Jersey, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Indiana, Philly and Detroit. Nov. 6: Houston at Portland (TNT) Yao Ming and Oden go toe-to-toe for the first time. Health permitting, of course. Nov. 9: Houston at L.A. Lakers The denizens of Lakerland who so badly wanted to see Artest in purple and gold will get their first dose of torture early. In L.A.'s first Sunday home game of the season, actually. Nov. 10: Portland at Orlando Oden will have lined up against Shaquille O'Neal (Nov. 1), Yao and Dwight Howard in a span of 10 days by the time he gets through this one. Health permitting, of course. Nov. 12: Atlanta at Boston Are the Hawks and Celtics rivals now because of what happened in the first round of the playoffs? Better question: Shouldn't Olympiacos be required to swing through Atlanta as part of the usual October spree of exhibition games against top European clubs? Nov. 13: Dallas at Chicago (TNT) Mavs owner Mark Cuban could know by this point whether he has won the race to buy the Cubs, which would make this somewhat of a home game for him and certainly spice up his relationship with Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, since Reinsdorf owns the White Sox. Nov. 14: Detroit at L.A. Lakers (ESPN) What sort of reception awaits Kwame Brown at Staples Center? Just a hunch: If history is any guide, Kwame needn't expect (or want) any mention of a cake. On the undercard: Kareem Rush's Philadelphia 76ers visit brother Brandon Rush's Indiana Pacers. Nov. 18: Cleveland at New Jersey LeBron and Jay-Z! In the same building! Exactly one week before LeBron goes to MSG to hang with Spike Lee and the Knicks! Cavs fans will want to avoid online consumption of the New York tabloids for a good few days before Thanksgiving. Nov. 20: L.A. Lakers at Phoenix (TNT) Kobe, tell me how many times do you think you and Shaq will be asked about recent rapping exploits? Detroit at Boston, incidentally, isn't exactly a bland appetizer for TNT. Nov. 21: Boston at Minnesota A hamstring strain prevented KG from playing in his first visit to 'Sota as an ex-Wolf last February. Hard to see him missing two in row, though. In Philadelphia, meanwhile, Baron and Elton will be in the same building for the first time since they did not end up on the same team as so many of us expected. And over in Oklahoma City, New Orleans is in town to play the OKC TBAs for the first time, which makes

FTF: MLB Power Rankings

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