11/18/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baseball Writers' Association of America will hand out their final postseason award on Monday, as the American League's Most Valuable Player will be announced.
But unlike most of the awards that have already been handed out, there is no clear-cut favorite here. Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia seems to have a slight edge, but it is wide open.
The 25-year-old Pedroia batted .326 with 17 home runs, 83 RBI and 118 runs scored. He also ranked first in the AL in doubles (54), fourth in total bases (322) and was the only player who had at least 175 hits, 75 runs scored, 75 RBI, 15 home runs, and 20 stolen bases while winning the Gold Glove.
Pedroia's teammate Kevin Youkilis also figures to get some votes, along with Minnesota's Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Texas' Josh Hamilton could also be in the running, as will Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim closer Francisco Rodriguez.
Youkilis, who batted everywhere from first to seventh this season, batted .312 this season and hit 29 home runs and knocked in a team- high 115 runs. He was also sixth in on-base percentage (.390), third in slugging (.569), and fourth in OPS (.958).
Morneau, the 2006 winner of this award, knocked in 144 runs for the Twins this season - 44 more than any of his teammates. He also hit .300 with 23 home runs. Mauer, meanwhile, led the AL with a .328 average.
Hamilton continued his amazing return from the depths of drug abuse this season, as he led the league with 130 runs scored. Hamilton was incredible in the first half of the year, driving in 95 runs with 21 homers in just 93 games.
However, he slowed down considerably in the second half, knocking in just 35 runs over his final 63 games.
Then there's Rodriguez, who set the single-season saves mark with 62. The Angels won 63 games by one or two runs and Rodriguez saved 51 of them, while picking up the victory in two others.
And don't forget Chicago's Carlos Quentin, who seemed like a lock for this award before a wrist injury shut him down in September. Despite that he still finished second in the league with 36 home runs.
The winner will be announced at 2 p.m. (EST).
<< Memphis crushes UMass to give Calipari coaching record
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Antonio Anderson scored 15 points and grabbed
12 rebounds, and 13th-ranked Memphis ripped Massachusetts, 80-58, to make John
Calipari the winningest coach in program history.
The win was Calipari's 221st a
<< Mason's three puts Spurs past flailing Clips
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roger Mason scored 21 points, including the
go-ahead three-pointer with 8.4 seconds left in the game, to lead the
streaking San Antonio Spurs in an 86-83 victory over the struggling Los
Angeles
<< Griffin leads Sooners over Miss. Valley State
Norman, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Blake Griffin finished with 20 points, 19
rebounds and six steals, and 12th-ranked Oklahoma cruised past Mississippi
Valley State, 94-53, in the first round of the NIT Season Tip-Off.
The Sooners (2-
<< Dawson wins battle of kickers; Browns edge Bills
Orchard Park, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Phil Dawson's 56-yard field goal gave the
Browns the lead with 1:39 to play, and Rian Lindell pushed his 45-yard attempt
wide right in the final minute as the Cleveland Browns held on for a 29-27 win
over th
Bobcats shoot for first win in franchise history vs. Mavs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks will shoot for back-to-back wins for
the first time this season when they resume a three-game road trip tonight
against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Dallas ended a five-game losing
Red-hot Cavs hit road to take on Nets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will take their
winning ways to the road for two games, starting with the New Jersey Nets
tonight from the Izod Center.
The Cavaliers have won seven in a row to improve to 8-2 on th
Lakers try to rebound vs. Bulls >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Lakers attempt to rebound from their first
loss of the 2008-09 campaign, while the Chicago Bulls will try and win for the
first time on the road this season as the two teams meet at Staples Center.
Detroit
Warriors host Blazers in Oakland >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Portland Trail Blazers conclude a five-game road trip
Tuesday by traveling to Oakland to face the Golden State Warriors.
The Blazers improved to 3-1 on the trek Saturday when Brandon Roy led the way
with 24 points
Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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