Sports betting enthusiasts will remember the fanfare in which the Cubs brought Sweet Lou Piniella to town just prior to the 2007 season. In his first two seasons, Lou took his team to the playoffs. Last season he came oh so close but just missed the NL wild card berth. This year the Cubs are awful. Lou has had enough. He didn’t even wait until the season was over, he quit last week.

As NFL betting and NCAA football betting are getting ramped up, the Washington Nationals are once again getting swept under the carpet in the Washington, DC. Not only are the Nationals fading into obscurity again in Washington, but they are quickly extinguishing the flames of hope that they fanned so early in the season.

Pitching sensation Stephen Strasburg was supposed to be the second coming of Ronald Reagan in Washington, DC. He was going to raise the Nationals from the dead and make them contenders. He was going to be the catalyst that built a winning baseball team in a town infatuated with its football and hockey teams. He was going to be the future of the Nationals.

Strasburg may very well still be the future of the Washington Nationals, but the Nationals will spend the next couple of seasons paying for their very bad decision to rush Strasburg into the lineup rather than getting him much-needed experience in AAA ball. First Strasburg was benched due to exhaustion. He had never played so much in his career before. He would have gotten that experience in AAA. Then he hurt his shoulder because of fatigue from pitching, and now he is out for the season with an injured wrist. The Nationals are back to square one.

The Cubs watched years of hopes and dreams drift away again as not even Sweet Lou could save the team this season. The MLB betting world watched as the Cubs sank to their current place in the NL Central standings which is 21 and half games back of the lead. The Cubs are out of the pennant race, out of the NL wild card race and now they are without their manager.

This game is a battle between two teams that are desperately trying to establish direction. The Cubs will be sending veteran pitcher Carlos Zambrano to the mound with his 4-6 record and 4.97 ERA. The Nationals will put John Lannan on the mound. Lannan has showed potential all season long. His record is 5-5 and his ERA is 5.13. In his last start he held the NL East leading Atlanta Braves scoreless for five innings and eventually got the win.

It is hoped that both the Cubs and the Nationals have learned from their past mistakes. This game will feature players auditioning to play in MLB next season. Some will be back with the Cubs and the Nationals, some will not. But whatever the Cubs and Nationals do in the off-season, it needs to point towards a more defined and positive direction for both teams.

Pick: Washington Nationals 4-1

Sports bettors and the top professional handicappers agree that one of the strongest bets is today’s contest between the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans.

Star WR Larry Fitzgerald is among those missing for Arizona. The Cardinals enter 1-0 straight up, the Titans 0-1.  The preseason series it tied 2-2, but they have not met since 199.

Thus OffshoreInsiders.com is releasing a major sports betting alert on this game. Las Vegas scores and odds have the line posted at Tennessee -4 with a total of 47.

NFL power ratings say that the offshore and Vegas betting odds should be the Titans -2.5, so there is strong value on the Cardinals because it crosses over a key number.

The best place to bet this game is at 5 Dimes as they have a 50 percent plus new player reward.

Betting picks and predictions: The Coach Potato is the premier television handicapper in the world. In 1988 after having success as a handicapper, investing 70-plus hours per week, he opted to streamline and concentrate on only national TV games. His efficiency has paid off hitting at least 58 % in college and pro football and basketball. All plays are rated equally. First pick since July 6^th as he’s been building up to his beloved NFL and college football. It’s on the Cardinals/Titans total. The top industry side and total are both up now on the MasterLockLine.

ESPN Monday Night Football sees the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals battling it out. Tennessee is a four-point favorite with a total of 47. Here is the official betting preview from the top NFL handicappers in sports betting.

The starters will play into the second quarter for the Titans. Vince Young gets the start at QB, but it looks like he will be the first of four. Two journeymen failed starting QBs follow Kerry Collins and Chris Simms, while Rusty Smith mops up.

Matt Leinart will play nearly a half at QB for the Cardinals, though some starters will be pulled early in the second quarter. Derek Anderson relieves the lion heart behind center. Undrafted rookie Max Hall has looked great in training camp and is expected to finally play.

The Redbirds are thinned at WR. Larry Fitzgerald and Early Doucet are out. Also not playing are TE Ben Patrick and LB Gerald Hayes.

Here are Titans injuries: Defensive end William Hayes (knee), defensive tackle Tony Brown (knee), linebacker David Thornton (shoulder), cornerback Cortland Finnegan (groin) and receiver Justin Gage (thumb) are out. Defensive end Derrick Morgan (calf) is not expected to play. Defensive end Jacob Ford (leg), defensive tackle Jason Jones (soreness), and cornerbacks Tye Hill (hamstring) and Ryan Mouton (groin) are questionable.

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It’s the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football on NBC. The betting line has San Francisco -2.5 with a total of 35. Some NFL services remain hotter than Carrie Preston and Colleen Haskell.

Yes we said this last week when there was a possibility that he would play. However, LB E.J. Henderson will play the first quarter this week, his first action since breaking a femur against Arizona last December. “This could be a big emotional lift for the Vikes,” says Cy McCormick of power of 620 sports services behind every selection, the MasterLockLine.

Brian Westbrook signed with the 49ers as a possible backup for the suddenly retired Glen Coffee. However Anthony Dixon rushed for a touchdown and 100 yards against Indianapolis and is expected to play earlier and more Sunday night. Westbrook may play.

The Niners are without big weapon WR Michael Crabtree, C Eric Heitmann and TE Vernon Davis. Davis caught 52 passes last year, four in the end zone. Crabtree had 48 in 11 games after ending a holdout. RB Frank Gore is also out. Gore, Crabtree, and Davis are the top Niner weapons.

San Francisco QB Nathan Davis will also play earlier this week to go up against “guys who played in the NFL.”

Perhaps you heard. Brett Favre has signed as the starting QB for the Minnesota Vikings and will probably play a series or two. Minnesota is only expected to play their starters one quarter. Adrian Peterson sat out last week, but the star Vikings RB will get some time tonight.

Starting C John Sullivan is out. This leaves Minnesota so thin that G Anthony Herrera is taking snaps as the third string center. WR Sidney Rice is out as is fellow WR Percy Harvin. With Jaymar Johnson out for the year, Minnesota is thinned at wideout.

Minnesota will get their first look at a 3-4 defense.

Top expert pick on this game: The Power of 620 sports services behind every selection, the MasterLockLine is 19-7 so far in NFL preseason. They have a An attorney/law professor/pro bettor turned pro bettor/professional handicapper out of Tri Cities, TN is best known for being the greatest SEC handicapper of all-time. However, he is also the top NFLX totals handicapper, based on all-time units won. Supreme Selections are his highest rated plays. He is now 9-0 this NFX with over/under plays. You know it’s legit because you got EVERY ONE OF THEM. Yes all nine right here. Sunday Night Football over/under Vikings/49ers. Click now to purchase

OffshoreInsiders.com has issued a point spread alert for the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings.

The best place to bet the 49ers is 5 Dimes where they are -1 and -130 The best place to bet the Vikings is at Bodog at +3 -114.

Perhaps you’ve heard, but Brett Favre will return at QB for the Minnesota Vikings. Each team won their initial preseason game straight up. Minnesota is 3-1 straight up in the preseason series.

The top sportsbook to bet the under is at 35 at BetUs Sportsbook has 155 percent in total bonuses. This includes up to a 60 percent signup bonus and 60 percent reload bonus.

To bet the over, the top choice is Just Bet Sportsbook over 34.5 -115

NFL power ratings have San Francisco -3.

Top expert pick on this game: Matt Rivers says I bombed away on Saturday night raising that bar with a 400,000* on the Steelers in another quality winning night. The getting has been great for awhile now and nothing at all will change in the near future as I am as good as they come on the gridiron. Another football winner, a 300,000* between Minnesota and San Francisco along with a pair of 200,000* on the diamond involving Texas and Baltimore plus Atlanta and Chicago. I will make you a winner, that is if you want to be one. Click now to purchase

The game is telecast on NBC. Live streaming TV of the game is also available.

The Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers NFL spread is 2.5 with a total of 35.

Courtesy of OddsShark.com: Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Niners host the Vikings under the lights, while the Athletics try to beat the visiting Rays, and the WNBA closes out its regular season.

Colliding on the gridiron . . .

The National Football League offers up just one exhibition contest on Sunday, with Minnesota at San Francisco. The Vikings got some good news this past week when quarterback Brett Favre finally showed up at training camp and announced he would play for the team this season; Favre is likely to see a bit of action in Sunday’s game. The Niners also added to their roster this past week by signing former Eagles running back Brian Westbrook. The oddsmakers have San Francisco listed as a 3-point home favorite for the Sunday night matchup, with the total for the contest pegged at 35 points.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

On the American League schedule for Sunday it’s Cleveland at Detroit, Seattle at the Yankees, Texas at Baltimore, Toronto at Boston, the White Sox at Kansas City, the Angels at Milwaukee, and Tampa Bay at Oakland. Matt Garza (12-7, 3.74 ERA) is expected to pitch for the Rays on Sunday, while the Athletics counter with Dallas Braden (8-8, 3.44 ERA). Righthander Garza dazzled the Rangers in his most recent outing, throwing seven scoreless innings while giving up just five hits and striking out 10 batters. Lefthander Braden has won two straight starts over the Blue Jays and Mariners, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits over those 16 innings and striking out 11.

Meanwhile, the National League on Sunday offers up Houston at Florida, the Mets at Pittsburgh, Washington at Philadelphia, San Diego at Milwaukee, San Francisco at St. Louis, Atlanta at the Cubs, Colorado at Arizona, and Cincinnati at the Dodgers. Bronson Arroyo (13-7, 3.87 ERA) will take on Clayton Kershaw (11-7, 3.03 ERA) in that last contest. Righthander Arroyo had no trouble with the Diamondbacks last time out, giving up just two runs on six hits over 7 1-3 innings of work in the victory. Lefthander Kershaw blanked the Rockies on five hits over his seven innings last time out, fanning six batters.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Finally, the WNBA wraps up its regular-season schedule with four games on Sunday: Phoenix at San Antonio, Connecticut at New York, Minnesota at Indiana, and Washington at Atlanta. The Mystics and Dream met on August 3 in Atlanta, with Washington grabbing an 86-78 road win as a 6-point underdog. Katie Smith poured in a team-high 18 points in the win for the Mystics; Angel McCoughtry scored 30 for Atlanta.

Brett Favre odds….

The Minnesota Vikings are -200 to make the playoffs now that Brett Favre is in the fold. Here are the odds from BetUs

Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers take center stage tonight on NBC Sunday Night football. But on the interim, it’s time to build up bankrolls.

Matt Rivers has a free MLB pick Sunday is on the Blue Jays +130 at Boston.

As far as I’m concerned this contest today at Fenway Park is an absolute even game. The Red Sox may be at home but right now it’s the boys from Toronto that appear to be the better team. Cito Gaston’s club has been much better than expected this year and without Pedroia once again and Youkilis and Ellsbury I’m more than fine with taking back a price with the Jays here.

Today’s hurlers are both quality guys as Clay Bucholz and Shawn Marcum each have a tremendous upside and could go out there and hurl a complete game shutout with their stuff. Therefore overall this matchup is a wash.

The Sox do still have some bashers with Big Papi, Drew, Beltre and Martinez but Jose Bautista is in the midst of a monster year and Wells, Hill, Lind, Overbay and the boys from Canada are super dangerous and healthy right now leading me to believe that the visitors are the superior team on the field today.

I am not at all calling this play a lock of my life because Terry Francona’s club is still very capable of walking off of the field as the victor, ala last night, but it’s about as 50-50 as a game could ever be and after the 11 inning loss on Saturday I’ll take my chances that the Jays rebound and get the victory.

If I can get odds back on a coin flip I’ll take it any day of the week. That appears to be the situation here.  So why not take Marcum and the plus money dog?

The pick: Toronto +130 at Bodog Sportsbook

For more information: I bombed away on Saturday night raising that bar with a 400,000* on the Steelers in another quality winning night. The getting has been great for awhile now and nothing at all will change in the near future as I am as good as they come on the gridiron. Another football winner, a 300,000* between Minnesota and San Francisco along with a pair of 200,000* on the diamond involving Texas and Baltimore plus Atlanta and Chicago. I will make you a winner, that is if you want to be one. Click now to purchase

Cowboys vs. Chargers may rematch in February, but tonight they play in the preseason.

There are some givens in life: Jay Mariotti, the Rocky Graziano wannabe is a piece of garbage. Water is wet. In betting, the sharp gambler will continue to win, while the square will give their money away.

ScoresOddsPicks.com picks released exclusively on OffshoreInsiders.com continue to win. Tonight they have a free pick on the Pokes and Bolts.

Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers (-3) – Saturday at 9:00 p.m. ET

Dallas’ starters have struggled to score through two preseason games—the team has scored just 25 total points in that span, with a good handful of them coming from the scrubs. Like last year, pressure on the quarterback has been an issue; the team has already surrendered nine sacks. That should be a point of emphasis on Saturday. Defensively, it’s been another story. The Cowboys are already in midseason form. They’ve allowed 24 total points through two games, and all of them came in the fourth quarter against the dregs.

The Chargers are coming off a 25-10 win over the Bears, and many of the offseason questions were apparently answered. Rookie Ryan Matthews looks like the right man to replace LaDainian Tomlinson after rushing for 50 yards on nine carries. Despite no Vincent Jackson in the lineup, Phil Rivers march the ball down the field, going 4-6 for 62 yards and a touchdown. The defense racked up six sacks and held Chicago to just 2.3 yards per carry.

Yes, it’s just preseason, but San Diego looked sharp on both sides of the ball, and the Chargers are one of the deeper teams in the NFL. Dallas, meanwhile, has yet to get its offense untracked. Until the protection issues are solved, the starters simply won’t be around long enough to get Dallas a win. Pick San Diego.

For more information: The NFLX Fave Best Bet of the Year wins so easily with Cincinnati to make it 13-6 this NFLX season from the professional gamblers.

The pro gamblers at ScoresOddsPicks have been so dang good, but the best comes tonight. Get the NFLX Best Bet of the Year Green Bay/Seattle from the sensational service. It’s among another 4-0 sweep in NFLX. Get ScoresOddsPicks Best Bet of the Year for just $12 at OffshoreInsiders.com

There is no debate that Natalie Tran is one of the hottest women on YouTube. But the YouTube mogul for making viewers big money is the sports gambling channel. Jennifer Aniston is about the r-word, but Grandmaster Sports Handicapper Joe Duffy’s YouTube videos are about the w-word: winning.

Matt Rivers has a free NFL pick Saturday is on the Seattle Seahawks on the NFL spread at a pick.

I do not love the talent that this Seattle team possesses and do admit that they are a banged up squad that is fairly thin defensively but Pete Carroll is going to want to win these preseason games and that should be enough once again. The coach is trying to make a splash back into the league and winning is super important to him right now.

I backed the Seahawks in the opener laying the 3 ½ only to watch them allow a late two point conversion in the two point victory over the Titans. That definitely was a bummer but my logic then was that Carroll is going to play cheerleader and have his guys want to win these games more than most other teams and that includes here against the Packers who proved in their opening home loss to the Browns that this time of the year is just not all that important.

Aaron Rodgers is awesome and the Pack have a great shot to do some good things this season. But Matt Flynn and Graham Harrell should get much of the run today and frankly that just does not reallys care me up north in the Great Northwest.

For what it’s worth the Pack dismantled the ‘Hawks last season 48-10 and have now won four straight in the series. Is revenge a huge factor in these games? No not huge but when somebody kicks your teeth in and then mashes it in the turf you will remember it somewhat and the 20 or 30 or whatever players that Seattle still has from last season’s team should have their juices flowing a little more because of it.

Matt Hasselback is still a pro quarterback, Charlie Whitehurst looked very good last week and JP Losman was an NFL starter with the Bills. So at home with Carroll’s pom poms going strong I do see a Seattle win and pretty much therefore a cover.

The pick: Seattle Seahawks -0

For more information: I dropped the ball with the Angels on Friday, there’s no two ways about it. Still six of 9 winning days and a plethora of coin in my pocket this season. Today is when I begin football in earnest after brushing aside the nonsense from the first week plus and prove to be the best there is on this planet with the pigskin as I am on the diamond.

FOUR fire-hot locks tonight including a monster 400,000* involving the Steelers and Giants and a 300,000* with the Rams and Browns. On the diamond a pair of winners as well; 200,000* Padres-Brewers and a 100,000* Giants-Cardinals. 4-0? You better believe it! Click now to purchase

Check out fantasy football rankings and NFL draft guide with fantasy football busts, breakouts and more.

Texas Rangers baseball, Live streaming TV of the English Premier League, and when will Jimmy Clausen play are among the highlights of Saturday sports action.

Here is Saturday’s preseason primer info with quarterback rotations, news and notes and NFL preseason lines info from OffshoreInsiders.com.

Steelers vs. NY Giants

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will play and may start. As usual Head Coach Mike Tomlin was glib when asked about his playing time.

Giants QB Eli Manning is out. His backup Jim Sorgi is now also out. Rhett Bomar may get the start. Also not playing for the G-men is G Chris Snee, and Rich Seubert, WR Ramses Barden, and S Michael Johnson.

Top expert pick on this game: On a 6-1 run with Wise Guy plays on all sports It’s among three Wise Guys and seven winners from GodsTips.

Ravens vs. Redskins

Fat DL Albert Haynesworth will play, but not with the other starters. Larry Johnson will get the feature role in a crowded backfield for the Skins.

Raiders vs. Bears

As bad as Chicago’s starting QB Jay Cutler is, it gets worse behind him. Potential backup Todd Collins rejected a contract offer, Caleb Harris is out and rookie Dan LeFevour not ready for significant role. Is he a fantasy football sleeper?

Both teams may be forced to use new QBs because of injuries. Colt Brennan for Oakland and Matt Gutierrez for Chicago may be forced into action. LeFevour will certainly get more time than originally planned.

Oakland will be without their top two backups at QB Charlie Frye and Bruce Gradkowski. This means journeyman Kyle Boller takes over for starter Jason Campbell. They will play behind a rebuilt offensive line.

Dolphins vs. Jaguars

Dolphins OG Nate Garner is out. He started eight games last year and was projected to be the backup at RT. However they signed OG Randy Thomas who started two games for the Redskins before torn right triceps ended his season.

Lions vs. Broncos

Detroit will be without LB Jordan Dizon for the season. Versatile and projected as a key backup, he started the first preseason game. He was a top notch special teams player.

Denver is without probable starting RB Knowshown Moreno.

Cowboys vs. Chargers

Dallas starting RT Marc Colombo is out. Alex Barron is also out meaning youngsters Robert Brewster and Sam Young are the fill-ins. Now LG Kyle Kosier is questionable.

Dallas top pick WR Dez Bryant is out.  The starters will play the first half. In the first two games QB Tony Romo played only three series.

Jets vs. Panthers

Though Carolina WR Steve Smith is back practicing, he won’t play. Also out for the Panthers WR Trent Guy, RB Jonathan Stewart, OT Jeff Otah, DE Tyler Brayton, LBs Thomas Davis, Jamar Williams and Quinton Culberson. Also not in uniform will be SS Sherrod Smith and Aaron Francisco.

RB D’Angelo Williams will see some playing time. Carolina’s only returning starter on the DL Tyler Brown is out. FS Sherrod Martin is very doubtful.

Jets star cover man Darrelle Revis is still a holdout. Carolina’s starters will play the first half. QB Jimmy Clausen will likely start the second half.

Top expert pick on this game: Stevie Vincent has hit 11 straight Level 5 plays. This game is his only L5 for NFLX but he has three more in pro baseball.

Texans vs. Saints

Houston’s starters will play at least 1 ½ quarters and possibly the entire first half. RBs Arian Foster and Steve Slaton will take all the snaps.