Pittsburgh Pirates vs Milwaukee Brewers MLB Odds and Preview

The match between Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers will kick off on April 28, 2010 at 1:10 PM ET. The match will takes place at Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

With a lengthy losing streak in Milwaukee now over, the Pittsburgh Pirates aim for their first series win at Miller Park in almost four years when they wrap up a three-game series with the Brewers on Wednesday .

Pittsburgh ended a 22-game skid in Milwaukee by scoring five runs in the ninth inning off Trevor Hoffman in a 7-3 win Tuesday night.

Ninth-place hitter Ronny Cedeno greeted the all-time saves leader with a homer to tie the score at 3. One out later, Andy LaRoche singled, Lastings Milledge doubled and Garrett Jones was intentionally walked before Ryan Doumit hit his second career grand slam.

The Pirates (8-12), who also ended a seven-game overall losing streak in which they totaled 12 runs, are in position to take a road series from the Brewers for the first time since July 24-26, 2006.

Despite Tuesday's loss, Milwaukee (9-11) has outscored Pittsburgh 56-11 while taking four of five meetings this year. Read More!

San Diego Padres vs Florida Marlins Live Odds, Preview and Predictions

The MLB match between San Diego Padres and Florida Marlins will kick off on April 28, 2010, 12:10 PM ET at Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Florida.

A six-game road trip could have been a stumbling block for the surprising San Diego Padres. Instead, they're in position to finish the jaunt above .500.

Kevin Correia might give them an excellent chance at accomplishing that.

Correia will take the mound Wednesday afternoon looking to help the Padres cap the trip with a second straight victory over the struggling Florida Marlins.

San Diego (12-8) opened the season by losing four of six on the road, but a six-game winning streak at home appeared to give the club momentum. The Padres carried their home success over to start of this trip, winning the first two games before dropping the next two including a 10-1 loss Monday in the opener of this series.

The Padres are also excelling on the bases, where their 23 steals are tied with Washington for most in the majors.

The Marlins have dropped three of four and are in danger of losing their first home series of the season. Read More!

Valenciennes vs Bordeaux Live Odds and Predictions - French Ligue 1

The French Ligue 1 Soccer match between Valenciennes and Bordeaux will kick off on April 28, 2010, 18:00 UK at Stade Nungesser, France.

Abdou Traore has warned Valenciennes that Bordeaux are still fighting for every point available despite a miserable run of form that has ended their title aspirations.

Bordeaux make the trip on the back of a 1-0 loss to Lorient that left them in fifth place, 12 points adrift of leaders Marseille with 15 left to play for.

Their goal now is to catch Lille, two points ahead in third place, in order to secure another season of Champions League football.

On paper, Valenciennes appear to have little to play for, but coach Philippe Montanier has set his players a target of finishing in the top 10.

VA sit just outside in 11th place, and Montanier wants them to keep pushing.

Bordeaux will be without Yoann Gourcuff after he was injured on Saturday.

Rudy Mater, who limped off towards the end of Valenciennes' match, will be missing for the hosts, joining Jonathan Lacourt, Carlos Sanchez, Johan Audel and Karba Bangouraon the sidelines. Read More!

Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Odds and Preview - NHL Stanley Cup

Alex Ovechkin knows all about playing in a Game 7. Every NHL playoff series of the two-time MVP's career has gone the distance.

His Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals probably weren't even considering the possibility of dealing with another Game 7 when they took a 3-1 series lead over the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens in the first round this year.

And yet here they are, due in large part to spectacular goaltending by Montreal's Jaroslav Halak: The Capitals host the Canadiens on Wednesday night, with the stakes quite clear.

The Capitals went 1-2 in Game 7s over the previous two seasons - all at home. This time, they're facing a Canadiens club that won the series' last two games as Halak stopped 90 of 92 shots.

Read More!

Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays Odds, Picks and Preview

The Boston Red Sox are playing better after a rough start, but they'd surely like to enjoy an easy win for a change.

They may get their wish Wednesday night.

Seeking a three-game sweep in Toronto, the Red Sox will send Jon Lester to the mound against the Blue Jays' Brett Cecil - a pitcher Boston dominated last season.

Following a 4-9 start, Boston (10-11) has won six of eight, but it hasn't been easy. All six wins have come by one-run margins, as have their last five games overall. Boston's nine one-run games are the most in the majors.

One-run games won by the Red Sox are about all the first two games of this series have had in common. After prevailing in a 13-12 slugfest Monday, Boston won 2-1 Tuesday behind eight strong innings from Clay Buchholz.

Trying to salvage one win in the season's first month, Lester is seeking to overcome his own history. He is 2-6 with a 5.12 lifetime ERA in March and April, compared with 40-12 and a 3.50 ERA in all other months.

Lester appeared to be shaking off his early-season doldrums Friday, when he threw 5 2-3 scoreless innings against Baltimore, but wound up without a decision after the Boston bullpen squandered a three-run lead en route to an eventual 4-3 victory.

Blue Jays slugger Adam Lind is 4 for 8 in this series, but 2 for 14 with eight strikeouts against Lester.

The last three series between these AL East rivals have ended in sweeps, with Boston winning two. Read More!

Minnesota Twins vs Detroit Tigers MLB Odds and Preview

His teammate just silenced the Detroit Tigers' bats. Minnesota Twins starter Scott Baker will try to follow suit.

Making his first start against the Tigers since last season's Game 163, Baker looks to bounce back from his worst outing of the season Wednesday when the AL Central-leading Twins try to clinch their seventh straight series win.

In the divisional foes' first matchup since Minnesota's 6-5, 12-inning victory in last season's one-game playoff, Francisco Liriano allowed four hits in eight innings and extended his scoreless innings streak to 23 as the Twins (14-6) defeated the host Tigers 2-0 in Tuesday's series opener.

Baker (2-2, 4.81 ERA) wasn't nearly as dominant in his last outing. Trying to win his third straight start, the right-hander allowed season highs of six runs and 10 hits over 5 2-3 innings of Thursday's 8-1 home loss to Cleveland. It was the most hits Baker had given up since Boston had 10 against him exactly a year earlier.

Baker yielded three runs in six innings of last season's AL Central tiebreaker, keeping the Twins in the game as they went on to win their fifth division title in eight seasons.

First-year Tiger Johnny Damon went 2 for 4 on Tuesday and extended his hitting streak to 14 games. He is batting .420 during that stretch.

Miguel Cabrera, whose leadoff double in the fifth was the first hit off Liriano, is batting .364 during an eight-game hitting streak versus Minnesota. Cabrera is 7 for 21 with two homers lifetime against Baker.

Detroit has alternated wins with losses in its last six games. Read More!

Oakland Athletics vs Tampa Bay Rays Live Odds and Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays have three chances to set a franchise record for victories in April.

Taking their first crack at accomplishing that feat, the Rays try for a fourth consecutive victory to sweep a brief two-game home series with the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday.

Off to the best start in its 13-year history, Tampa Bay (15-5) beat Oakland 8-6 on Tuesday to match a club record for wins in April that was set during its surprise run to the World Series in 2008.

Owners of the majors' best record, the Rays have won 12 of 14 and continue to produce at the plate. Pat Burrell hit a three-run homer while Jason Bartlett and John Jaso each had three hits Tuesday.

The Rays, who've hit .311 and scored 50 runs during a stretch where they've won five of six, lead the AL with 121 runs and a .323 batting average with runners in scoring position.

Tampa Bay's James Shields (2-0, 3.96) hasn't been as consistent as Braden through four starts, he'll try for a third consecutive win when he takes the ball in this contest.

Shields allowed two runs in a season-high seven innings of a 10-2 victory at Chicago on Thursday.

The right-hander is 3-1 with a 3.88 ERA in eight career starts against Oakland, but hasn't factored in the decision of his last three versus the A's. Read More!

Barcelona vs Inter Milan Soccer Odds, Preview and Predictions

The semi final match between Barcelona and Internazionale will kick off on April 28, 2010, 19:45 UK at Camp Nou, Spain.

You wouldn't have many disagree with you if you said that tonight is the most anticipated evening in European football so far this season. People from all corners of the globe are anxiously awaiting the 2nd leg between Barcelona and Inter Milan at Camp Nou. Needless to say, with Inter holding a 3-1 advantage that would be considered decisive if it was against anybody but Barca, this is going to be a massive evening for the betting markets

After a contested affair last week that saw Inter Milan hand Pep Guardiola his largest defeat since taking the reigns at the Camp Nou, all the talk was that Jose Mourinho had already booked his side's progression to the final. His tactical genius was lauded, his side's grit against the Barcelona attack was highlighted, and David had beaten the Catalan Giant.

Barcelona Vs Internazionale

UEFA Champions League

Stadium: Camp Nou, Spain

Match Time: April 28, 2010, 19:45 UK Read More!

Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets Live Odds, Preview and Predictions

The match between Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets will kick off on April 28, 2010, 10:30 PM ET at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO.

No more infighting and insults. The Denver Nuggets insist they're back to being buddies and are ready to salvage their season.

Carmelo Anthony said he was misunderstood when he said he couldn't beat the Utah Jazz all by himself. He said everyone needs to step it up in Game 5 Wednesday night, him included.

After causing a firestorm by tweeting that the Nuggets were selfish, J.R. Smith returned to more benign messages Tuesday like: "cant stop thinking bout this game coming up!"

And acting coach Adrian Dantley, who called out Anthony for his nine turnovers despite a 39-point performance in Denver's Game 4 loss, said it's just an oddity, that's all, that a player could put up such big numbers on both ends of the spectrum. Read More!

Milwaukee Bucks vs Atlanta Hawks Preview, Odds and Predictions

The NBA Match between Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks will kick off on April 28, 2010 at 8:00 PM ET. This match will takes place at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA.

Joe Johnson thought the Atlanta Hawks had grown up enough to put away a team that's missing one of its key players.

Turns out, he was wrong.

Back home and all tied up in a series they expected to be on the verge of wrapping up, the Hawks got an uncharacteristic dressing-down from their low-key star.

The Hawks were eager to wrap up the opening round as quickly as possible, especially facing a Milwaukee team that lost center Andrew Bogut late in the season.

Atlanta looked unstoppable in the first two games at home, taking advantage of mismatches all over the court, working the ball crisply to the open man and playing aggressively at the defensive end. Read More!

Boston Celtics Beat Miami Heat 96-86 – 2010 NBA Playoffs

The Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 96-86 to advance to the second round of the National Basketball Association playoffs with a 4-1 series win.

Ray Allen scored 24 points Tuesday and the Boston Celtics bounced Miami 96-86 to claim their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series 4-1.

Allen shot 5-of-6 from 3-point range, while Paul Pierce contributed 21 points and Rajon Rondo put in 16 points, distributed 12 assists and hauled down eight rebounds for Boston.

The Celtics advanced to the second round, where they will play the winner of the Cleveland-Chicago series, which the Cavaliers led 3-1.

The Heat staged a fourth-quarter comeback after trailing by as many as 21 points but Boston hit 52.9 percent of its shots down the stretch to blunt the rally. Read More!

2010 NFL Draft Betting Odds, NFL Draft Props and Picks

While the NFL has tweaked the format of its draft — the first round takes place on Thursday, the second to third on Friday and last four on Saturday — the basics remain the same and the worst team, the St. Louis Rams, will be selecting first.

Oklahoma Sooners QB Sam Bradford is being touted by many as the first-selection overall and seeing as the Rams have released QB Marc Bulger, there seems to be logic to that.

In a recent USA Today mock draft, an eight-analyst panel unanimously predicted that Bradford would be the player that the St. Louis Rams would select in the one-spot.

According to sportsbooks, Bradford is an overwhelming favorite to be No. 1 overall at -1200 and +550 not to be the top pick.

Checking online sportsbook SPORTSBETTING.com, the Sooners’ signal-caller is also listed at +500 to be the two-pick overall.

There was a movement to award last year’s Heisman Trophy to Nebraska Cornhusker defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Suh didn’t end up winning the award, Alabama’s Mark Ingram did, and wasn’t even the runner-up, that honor would go to Stanford’s Toby Gerhart.

He did benefit from the good press, as he was considered a potential top-pick overall until recently, when Bradford seemed to pull ahead.

Suh is also a possible No. 2 overall, according to a number of 2010 mock draft’s, and is currently listed with draft odds of  -410 to be just that.

Offensive linemen are hugely underrated and one of the top hogs, according to many mock drafts and analysts, is Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung.

All accounts have the Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs, who select fourth and fifth overall respectively, very keen on Okung. The odds have the former OSU Cowboy at +150 to be selected second overall.

Tennessee Volunteers strong safety Eric Berry is a player that some say is a Top-10 pick and he is -200 to be taken sixth to ninth overall, +140 to go between 1-5, +300 to go between 10 and 12, +700 to 13th or higher.

Besides Bradford, another quarterback being mentioned is Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen.

In a recent interview with the New York Post, Clausen was asked what he would say if he were asked by an NFL team why they should draft him.

One of the reasons, Clausen said, was because he played in a pro-style offense while playing at South Bend and says he won’t travel to New York for the draft but will rather spend time with his grandfather.

The former Charlie Weis student is -150 to go between six and nine in the first-round, +130 to go 10, 11 and 12 overall, +200 to go 13th or higher and +1000 to go in the Top-5.

One of the most intriguing draft prospects is Florida Gator QB Tim Tebow.

There have been some that say that Tebow won’t be able to cut it as a pivot in the NFL.

Furthermore, in a now infamous video clip, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says Tebow won’t ever take the field.

According to the betting odds, Tebow is most likely to be selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars, at +150, and -200 to be a second-rounder.

There is plenty of intrigue going into this year’s NFL draft it should be exciting for those who are betting on all the NFL draft props at NFL Betting. Read More!

Stanley Cup 2010 NHL Playoff Series Picks and Odds

Both players have revitalized franchises and hockey markets that looked bleak, both are argued about as to who is the best player in the world, both have tons of hardware already at young ages and the two are the center piece for the best rivalry in hockey. So all eyes are on the Pittsburgh Penguins and their star Sydney Crosby and the Washington Capitals and their star Alexander Ovechkin.

While the Penguins are defending champions, the Capitals seem to be the team to beat.

Stanley Cup Odds: Washington Capitals +300

The Washington Capitals captured the President’s Trophy as the team with the best regular season record (54-15-13 for 121 points) and online sportsbooks have them as the odds-on to win it all at +300.

The Caps open the 2010 postseason campaign with a series against the Montreal Canadiens.

While Alexander Ovechkin and his troops nearly averaged four goals a game — 3.82 to be exact — they ranked 16th in goals against, allowing close to three a game (2.77).

Pundits are looking at goaltending as the Caps possible weak spot heading into the playoffs.

While Caps goalie Jose Theodore had a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2.81, he went 30-7-7 with a save percentage of .911 this season.

In fact, in Theodore’s last 20 games, he is 17-3 SU.

Even if Theodore falters (like he did last postseason), the Capitals do have Semyon Varlamov who went 15-4-6 with a .909 save percentage and GAA of 2.55 during the 2009/10 campaign.

More importantly, Varlamov proved himself in the playoffs last year backstopping Washington to a series win against the New York Rangers before succumbing in seven games to the eventual champion Penguins in the second-round.

Betting Action: SPORTSBETTING.com is reporting the early action has been steady on Washington, with the Capitals currently holding 31% of all the volume wagered on the option “Who will win the Stanley Cup”.

Stanley Cup Odds: Pittsburgh Penguins +450

What of the defending champs?

They finished the regular season with a record of 47-28-7 for 101 points, good enough for the four-seed in the East.

Captain Crosby put on a show in the team’s regular season finale against the New York Islanders, nearly grabbing an outright lead in the regular season goal scoring race (51 goals) and even put a little scare into the Vancouver Canucks’ Henrik Sedin in the chase for the league points lead.

Crosby will share the Rocket Richard Trophy (most regular season goals) with Tampa Bay’s Steve Stamkos but regular season accolades won’t mean much to Sid the Kid after he got to drink from the Cup last year.

The Pittsburgh Penguins open against the Ottawa Senators. In their last seven overall against the Sens, they are only 2-5 SU.

Since the Penguins had a better regular season record than the Sens they will open at home and Ottawa could draw first blood in the series.

The last 20 times that the Pittsburgh Penguins have hosted the Ottawa Senators, the Pens are only 6-14 SU.

Young Ottawa netminder Brian Elliot went 29-18-4 this season and will get his first playoff start on Wednesday.

Betting Action: SPORTSBETTING.com is reporting the Penguins, despite being a four seed in the East, are the second most popular team in the Eastern Conference for sports bettors. 22% of the betting action on “Who will win the Stanley Cup” is on the Penguins.

Betting on NHL: I didn’t put any money on either of these two teams, choosing instead to take a shot on the San Jose Sharks at +450. Yes, I know they perennially disappoint, but I have a gut feel they put it all together this season.

The other wager I made was on the New Jersey Devils to win it all at +750. Hopefully Brodeur has one last big playoff run in him, and with their defense and the addition of Kovalchuk, they have the ingredients to go far in the post-season.

Good luck.

Read More!