The fifth major of golf betting is here with the Players Championship odds. Hosted by the TPC at Sawgrass in Florida every year, it features the biggest purse in PGA betting and one of the best sportsbook fields you’ll ever see. Let’s look at some notable competitors entering the big tournament.
Many players sports betting online like going with the borderline “sure thing” in golf betting and Tiger is obviously the closest to that moniker, but he’s not nearly as safe as normal this week. He’s been great by any mortal golfer’s standards this season, but his recent finishes of sixth and fourth were sub-par for him. The big reason behind his inability to break through with a win: hiccups with his putter. He misread a few breaks at crucial moments in two straight tournaments and that doesn’t bode well at the speedy greens of Sawgrass, where Tiger did win in 2001 but hasn’t cracked the top 10 in six straight starts.
Phil Mickelson Players Championship odds: +1015
Love Lefty or hate him, golf betting fans can never ignore him at a big event like the Players Championship odds. He’s enjoyed past success at Sawgrass, including a 2007 win, but his short game has disappeared this season, so it’s hard to endorse him in a tournament where accuracy is paramount.
Is there anyone left on the Sergio bandwagon after his disastrous start to the 2009 golf betting season? The once-proud Spaniard hasn’t finished above 13th in any PGA event this year and seems to have lost his confidence. He’s the defending Players Championship odds champ and thus could draw on past success to find his groove, but his game isn’t where it needs to be for him to seriously contend at the sportsbook this week.
Sean O’Hair and Brian Gay Players Championship odds: +2550, +8050
These two non-household names fall into the same category in that they both have hot hands at the moment, with wins in recent weeks. Gay’s sportsbook value is way better, but he may be a trap for golf betting fans. His win at the Verizon Heritage came against a weak field whereas O’Hair’s win last week at the Quail Hollow came against a all-star field very similar to the one playing in the Players Championship odds. O’Hair warrants serious consideration at the sportsbook.
Here‘s my top golf betting sleeper of the week. He has two top-10s at Sawgrass and is one of just three players with multiple top-10s and no missed cuts in the Players Championship odds. He’s flirted with victory all year and he may break out this week. Don’t forget about him in sports wagering!
Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Tuesday when the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves meet at Turner Field.
The Mets will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander LivanHernandez in this game. Hernandez has a 1-1 record and a 6.75 ERA this season.
The Braves will counter Hernandez with KenshinKawakami. RighthanderKawakami has a 7.06 ERA to go along with a 1-3 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Braves listed as 128-moneyline favorites versus the Mets, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
CarlosBeltran was 2-for-3 with two homers and four runs batted in to lead the Mets past the Braves 6-4 on Monday night.
New York won as +105 road underdogs as the game played over the 8.5-run total listed by oddsmakers.
DavidWright went 2-for-4 with a two-run dinger for the Mets, while JohnMaine gave up three runs over six innings to earn the win for New York.
Chipper Jones smashed a solo shot for Atlanta, as Javier Vazquez was rocked for six runs over 6 2-3 innings to take the loss for the Braves.
Current streak: Atlanta has lost 3 straight games.
Team records: New York: 11-13 SU Atlanta: 11-14 SU
New York most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing Philadelphia are 5-5 After playing Atlanta are 4-6 After a win are 3-7
Atlanta most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 8-2 Before playing Florida are 3-7 After playing NY Mets are 3-7 After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets’s last 5 games when playing Atlanta The total has gone UNDER in 13 of NY Mets’s last 18 games when playing on the road against Atlanta The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta NY Mets are 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road Atlanta is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against NY Mets The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games when playing NY Mets The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Atlanta’s last 18 games when playing at home against NY Mets The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets
Next up: NY Mets home to Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 6 Atlanta at Florida, Wednesday, May 6
The division rival Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers are set to renew hostilities on Tuesday when they meet at ComericaPark.
NickBlackburn will be the starting pitcher for the Twins on this day. Righthander Blackburn is 2-1 this season with a 4.02 ERA.
Blackburn‘s opponent in this one will be RickPorcello. The Tigers righthander has a 6.23 ERA to go along with a 1-3 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Tigers listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Twins, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
MichaelCuddyer went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in to lead the Twins over the Tigers 7-2 on Monday night.
Minnesota cashed as +110 road underdogs as the game pushed the 9-run total listed by sportsbooks.
AlexCasilla knocked in two runs for the Twins, while FranciscoLiriano allowed two runs over 7 1-3 innings to get the win for Minnesota.
MiguelCabrera went deep for Detroit, as losing pitcher EdwinJackson was tagged for five runs over six innings for the Tigers.
Team records: Minnesota: 13-13 SU Detroit: 13-12 SU
Minnesota most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing Baltimore are 8-2 After playing Detroit are 7-3 After a win are 5-5
Detroit most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 3-7 Before playing Chi White Sox are 1-9 After playing Minnesota are 6-4 After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider: Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games Minnesota is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games when playing Detroit The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games when playing Detroit The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 6 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 6 games when playing Minnesota Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up: Minnesota at Baltimore, Wednesday, May 6 Detroit at Chi White Sox, Wednesday, May 6
The division rival Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are set to renew hostilities on Tuesday when they meet at Yankee Stadium.
Ace JoshBeckett will be the starting pitcher for the Red Sox on this day. RighthanderBeckett is 2-2 this season with a 7.22 ERA.
Meanwhile, it’ll be JobaChamberlain who starts for the Yankees. RighthanderChamberlain is 1-0 with a 3.13 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Red Sox, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
JasonBay was 3-for-5 with a two-run homer, as the Red Sox dropped the Yankees 6-4 on Monday night.
Boston cashed as +110 road underdogs as the teams pushed the 10-run total listed by oddsmakers.
MikeLowell went 2-for-4 with a big fly and two runs batted in for the Red Sox, while JonLester gave up three runs over seven innings to get the win for Boston.
MarkTeixeira was 2-for-5 with two dingers for New York, as losing pitcher PhilHughes allowed three earned runs over four innings for the Yankees.
Current streak: New York has lost 2 straight games.
Team records: Boston: 16-10 SU New York: 13-12 SU
Boston most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 6-4 Before playing Cleveland are 8-2 After playing NY Yankees are 7-3 After a win are 7-3
New York most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 6-4 Before playing Tampa Bay are 6-4 After playing Boston are 3-7 After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider: Boston is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Yankees Boston is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games Boston is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees NY Yankees are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games at home NY Yankees are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games NY Yankees are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Boston NY Yankees are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing Boston
Next up: Boston home to Cleveland, Wednesday, May 6 NY Yankees home to TampaBay, Wednesday, May 6
The Pittsburgh Pirates will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Tuesday when they take on the Milwaukee Brewers at PNCPark.
RighthanderJeffSuppan will take the mound for the Brewers to start this game. Suppan is 1-2 this season with a 5.88 ERA.
Starting this game for the Pirates will be IanSnell. The righthander has a 3.72 ERA to go along with a 1-3 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Pirates listed as 110-moneyline favorites versus the Brewers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Rickie Weeks’ three-run homer highlighted a four-run ninth inning, as the Brewers downed the Pirates 7-4 on Monday night.
Milwaukee cashed as -150 road favorites as the game played over the 7.5-run total posted by sportsbooks.
RyanBraun drove in two runs for the Brewers, while MarkDiFelice picked up the win in relief of starter YovaniGallardo for Milwaukee.
AndyLaRoche went deep for Pittsburgh, as MattCapps was handed the loss after allowing four runs in the top of the ninth inning for the Pirates.
Current streak: Milwaukee has won 2 straight games. Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games.
Team records: Milwaukee: 14-12 SU Pittsburgh: 12-13 SU
Milwaukee most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 7-3 Before playing Cincinnati are 1-9 After playing Pittsburgh are 9-1 After a win are 7-3
Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 6-4 Before playing St. Louis are 7-3 After playing Milwaukee are 2-8 After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider: Milwaukee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh’s last 9 games Pittsburgh is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games Pittsburgh is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Milwaukee Pittsburgh is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Next up: Milwaukee at Cincinnati, Wednesday, May 6 Pittsburgh at St. Louis, Wednesday, May 6
A winning streak will be on the line for the Texas Rangers on Tuesday when they battle the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.
The Rangers will give the ball to ace starter VicentePadilla in this one. RighthanderPadilla is 1-2 this season with a 7.42 ERA.
It’ll be ace ErikBedard toeing the rubber for the Mariners in this contest. LefthanderBedard is 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mariners listed as 165-moneyline favorites versus the Rangers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
MichaelYoung went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, as the Rangers edged the Mariners 6-5 on Monday night.
Texas won as +125 road underdogs as the teams played over the 8-run total set by oddsmakers.
ChrisDavis also had a two-run dinger for the Rangers, while KevinMillwood got the win after allowing five runs over 7 1-3 innings for Texas.
Franklin Gutierrez was 3-for-4 with a three-run shot for Seattle, as losing pitcher Felix Hernandez was tagged for six runs over six innings for the Mariners.
Current streak: Texas has won 3 straight games.
Team records: Texas: 13-12 SU Seattle: 15-11 SU
Texas most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing Oakland are 6-4 After playing Seattle are 7-3 After a win are 5-5
Seattle most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing Kansas City are 0-10 After playing Texas are 3-7 After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider: Texas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Seattle Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road Texas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas Seattle is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Texas
Next up: Texas at Oakland, Wednesday, May 6 Seattle at Kansas City, Wednesday, May 6
The division rival Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays are set to renew hostilities on Tuesday when they meet at Tropicana Field.
RighthanderKojiUehara will take the mound for the Orioles to start this game. Uehara is 2-2 this season with a 4.50 ERA.
Uehara’s opponent in this one will be MattGarza. The Rays righthander has a 3.82 ERA to go along with a 2-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 200-moneyline favorites versus the Orioles, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
NickMarkakis went 3-for-5 with a three-run big fly to lead the Orioles past the Rays 8-4 on Monday night.
Baltimore won as +190 road underdogs as the teams played over the 9.5-run total set by sportsbooks.
BrianRoberts was 2-for-4 with a two-run homer for the Orioles, while DanysBaez picked up the win in relief of starter AdamEaton for Baltimore.
Jason Bartlett knocked in two runs for Tampa Bay, as Scott Kazmir was touched up for six runs over 6 1-3 innings to take the loss for the Rays.
Team records: Baltimore: 10-16 SU TampaBay: 11-16 SU
Baltimore most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing Minnesota are 3-7 After playing Tampa Bay are 2-8 After a win are 3-7
Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing NY Yankees are 5-5 After playing Baltimore are 7-3 After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay The total has gone OVER in 8 of Baltimore’s last 11 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 9 of Baltimore’s last 13 games when playing Tampa Bay Baltimore is 3-13 SU in its last 16 games when playing Tampa Bay The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games when playing at home against Baltimore Tampa Bay is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Baltimore Tampa Bay is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing Baltimore The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay’s last 8 games at home
Next up: Baltimore home to Minnesota, Wednesday, May 6 Tampa Bay at NY Yankees, Wednesday, May 6
A winning streak will be on the line for the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday when they battle the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field.
The Giants will pin their hopes on the pitching of ace righthander TimLincecum in this game. Lincecum has a 2-1 record and a 3.16 ERA this season.
Lincecum’s opponent in this one will be SeanMarshall. The Cubs lefthander has a 3.50 ERA to go along with a 0-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 105-moneyline favorites versus the Giants, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
RyanTheriot hit a two-run dinger to lead the Cubs past the Giants 4-2 on Monday night.
Chicago won as -180 home favorites as the game played under the 9-run total set by oddsmakers.
Winning pitcher RyanDempster gave up two runs over seven innings for the Cubs, while GeovanySoto and Reed Johnson knocked in runs for Chicago.
PabloSandoval was 2-for-4 with a run batted in for San Francisco, as JonathanSanchez allowed four runs over four innings to take the defeat for the Giants.
Current streak: Chicago has won 4 straight games.
Team records: San Francisco: 12-12 SU Chicago: 14-11 SU
San Francisco most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing Colorado are 3-7 After playing Chi Cubs are 5-5 After a loss are 5-5
Chicago most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing Houston are 5-5 After playing San Francisco are 5-5 After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco’s last 5 games San Francisco is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games San Francisco is 4-9 SU in their last 13 games when playing Chi Cubs San Francisco is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road Chi Cubs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against San Francisco Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi Cubs’s last 9 games
Next up: San Francisco at Colorado, Wednesday, May 6 Chi Cubs at Houston, Wednesday, May 6
The Cleveland Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at Rogers Centre.
The Indians will trot AnthonyReyes out to the mound in this one. RighthanderReyes has a 1-0 record and a 7.58 ERA this season.
Reyes‘s opponent in this one will be RickyRomero. The Blue Jays lefthander has a 1.71 ERA to go along with a 2-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Blue Jays listed as 132-moneyline favorites versus the Indians, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Josh Barfield’s RBI-single in the top of the 12th highlighted a three-run inning, as the Indians defeated the Blue Jays 9-7 on Monday night.
Cleveland cashed as a -110 road pick ’em, as the game played over the 10-run total posted by oddsmakers.
MattLaPorta smashed a two-run shot for the Indians, while RafaelBetancourt picked up the win in relief of starter FaustoCarmona for Cleveland.
Vernon Wells, Rod Barajas, and Jose Bautista each had two runs batted in for Toronto, as Shawn Camp took the loss after allowing all three runs in the 12th for the Blue Jays.
Team records: Cleveland: 10-16 SU Toronto: 18-10 SU
Cleveland most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing Boston are 5-5 After playing Toronto are 7-3 After a win are 1-9
Toronto most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 8-2 Before playing LA Angels are 5-5 After playing Cleveland are 5-5 After a loss are 9-1
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 6 games Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 5 games when playing Toronto The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto’s last 5 games when playing Cleveland The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto’s last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto’s last 7 games
Next up: Cleveland at Boston, Wednesday, May 6 Toronto at LA Angels, Wednesday, May 6
The Washington Nationals will be trying to extend a winning streak on Tuesday when they take on the Houston Astros at NationalsPark.
Ace RoyOswalt will be the starting pitcher for the Astros on this day. RighthanderOswalt is 0-2 this season with a 3.82 ERA.
Starting this game for the Nationals will be ace ScottOlsen. The lefthander has a 6.07 ERA to go along with a 1-3 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Astros listed as 138-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
ElijahDukes went 3-for-5 with three runs batted in, as the Nationals dumped the Astros 9-4 on Monday night.
Washington cashed as -145 home favorites as the game played over the 9.5-run total listed by oddsmakers.
RyanZimmerman was 4-for-4 with two RBIs for the Nationals, while winning pitcher JohnLannan allowed three earned runs over six innings for Washington.
KazMatsui went 2-for-3 with two RBIs for Houston, as WesleyWright was tagged with the loss in relief of starter BrianMoehler for the Astros.
Current streak: Washington has won 2 straight games.
Team records: Houston: 11-15 SU Washington: 7-17 SU
Houston most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 3-7 Before playing Chi Cubs are 7-3 After playing Washington are 6-4 After a loss are 5-5
Washington most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 3-7 Before playing LA Dodgers are 2-8 After playing Houston are 3-7 After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games when playing Washington The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 6 games on the road Houston is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games when playing Houston The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games when playing at home against Houston The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington’s last 7 games at home Washington is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Houston
Next up: Houston home to Chi Cubs, Wednesday, May 6 Washington at LA Dodgers, Wednesday, May 6
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