Category Archives: Uncategorized

MLB’s All-Time Greatest Closers: Top Sportsbook Opines

If a team is going to have good MLB odds it needs a top-notch closer to give the ball to in the ninth inning. Here is a look at the top closers in the history of the majors, and you can bet that all these players boosted their team’s offshore sportsbook odds.

Dennis Eckersley

“Eck” is one of two players, along with John Smoltz, to post a 20-win and a 50-save season, and he is one of two closers to win the Cy Young award. Eckersley is fifth all-time with 390 saves and, with his long hair and submarine-style delivery, he was one of the most recognizable players of the early 90s. However, he may be best remembered for giving up Kirk Gibson’s homer on a bum knee in the ’88 World Series when his Oakland Athletics lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mariano Rivera

“Mo” is second all-time with 482 saves, but his legacy was (and still will be, possibly) made in the postseason. Rivera has an outlandish 0.77 ERA in 76 playoff games and, between 1998 and 2001, he racked up 23 saves. His cutter is borderline legendary. It’s no surprise that the Yankees won three World Series in that time, and Rivera was MVP of the 1999 victory. At 39 years old, he’s still going, and he’ll be crucial to the Yankees’ MLB betting chances.

Rich Gossage

“Goose” was probably the first shut-down closer, and even though he is “only” 18th with 310 career saves, he was the precursor to Eckersley with wild hair and an outgoing personality. Gossage led the Yankees to the 1978 World Series, and he was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

Trevor Hoffman

The all-time saves leader has to find a spot on this list, and even though Hoffman is slowing down at age 41, he’ll still be a major player in Milwaukee’s MLB betting odds. Hoffman’s changeup has made many a batter look foolish in the past, and the Brewers will hope Hoffman brought it with him from San Diego.

Lee Smith

Imagine seeing the 6’6” (and scowling) Smith strolling out for the ninth inning. His intimidation factor was a huge reason why he’s third all-time in saves with 478. Smith played with eight teams, but his best years came in Chicago and St. Louis. With the Cardinals, he had at least 43 saves in three of his four years.

For the top MLB picks check out OffshoreInsiders.com

2009 March Madness Picks and Predictions

The Forbes rich list is decreasing. However sports betting experts are thriving by joining the gold diggers at the diggnation for pro bettors OffshoreInsiders.com. It’s grandcentral for Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy.  

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The ACC, Big Ten, and SEC begin their conference tourneys, and Tiger Woods tees it up at the WGC-CA Championship.

The march toward Madness . . .

Sportsbooks brace as the ACC, Big Ten, and SEC conference tournaments all finally get underway on Thursday with opening-round matchups. The first day of ACC action at Atlanta‘s Georgia Dome has Miami vs. Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech vs. Clemson, NC State vs. Maryland, and Virginia vs. Boston College, while the Big Ten has Northwestern vs. Minnesota, Iowa vs. Michigan, and Indiana vs. Penn State at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to get their tourney started on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the SEC tournament gets going at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa on Thursday, with Mississippi vs. Kentucky, Georgia vs. Mississippi State, Vanderbilt vs. Alabama, and Arkansas vs. Florida. The other five major conference tourneys continue on Thursday as well, highlighted by marquee Big East teams Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Louisville, and Villanova finally seeing action.

Other ranked teams set to hit the floor on Thursday include No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 11 Kansas, and No. 14 Missouri in the Big 12 tournament, No. 4 Memphis in the Conference USA tournament, No. 13 Washington, No. 15 UCLA, and No. 23 Arizona State in the Pac-10 tournament, and No. 25 BYU in the MWC tournament. As well, No. 19 Xavier will play their first game in the A-10 tourney.

March Madness picks and predictions…

ALERT: Stevie Vincent adds a PERFECT PLAY for early day action. Since raising the bar on the definition of PERFECT PLAY, Stevie has actually gotten better if that’s possible. He goes 4-1 last night including sweeping Perfect Plays, Oklahoma State plus the New Orleans NBA game over.

Stevie has his Conference Tournament LOCK of the YEAR plus the just added PERFECT PLAY going Thursday among five winners. The top angle in each game is a combined 49-5 against the spread and you get the angles inside the plays. Click now to purchase Stevie Vincent’s winners. He is the founder of forensic sports handicapping.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

The Spurs will host the Lakers in the first of two NBA games on the schedule for Thursday night. San Antonio and Los Angeles have met twice over the past two months, with each team winning at home. The Lakers rolled to a 99-85 home win as 7.5-point favorites on January 25, while the Spurs pulled out a 112-111 home win as 3-point favorites on January 14. The O/U was 1-1 over those two contests.

The second half of Thursday’s NBA doubleheader then sees Cleveland in Phoenix to battle the Suns. The Cavaliers and Suns met in Cleveland back on February 11, with LeBron James and company cruising to a 109-92 home win as 9-point favorites. Mo Williams poured in 44 points for Cleveland in that victory, while James had 26 points. Amare Stoudemire had 27 points in a losing cause.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The NHL loads up with 13 games on the schedule for Thursday night, including Washington at Philadelphia. The last time the Caps and Flyers met on the ice was back on February 24, when Philadelphia grabbed a 4-2 road victory. Jeff Carter, Scott Hartnell, Arron Asham, and Claude Giroux scored for the Flyers in that victory, while Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom replied for the Capitals.

Also on the busy Thursday slate: Ottawa at Boston, Phoenix at New Jersey, Pittsburgh at Columbus, Florida at Buffalo, the Islanders at Montreal, Tampa Bay at Toronto, the Rangers at Nashville, Carolina at Dallas, San Jose at St. Louis, Minnesota at Colorado, and Atlanta at Edmonton. As well, a pair of division leaders will meet on the ice in Detroit when the Wings get a visit from the Flames.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Tiger Woods will be back on the course this week at Doral Golf Resort in Miami, Florida for the WGC-CA Championship, an event he has won six of the nine times it has been held. Vegas oddsmakers, then, have Woods pegged as the 5/2 favorite to capture the trophy yet again, with Phil Mickelson behind him on the list at 8/1. Geoff Ogilvy, who is the defending champ, is listed third at 10/1 odds, where he’s tied with Sergio Garcia, while 2004 champ Ernie Els is sitting at 12/1. Mike Weir, who came out on top in this event back in 2000, is listed at 40/1 odds.

San Jose State-Nevada Lines Preview

The fans at Lawlor Events Center will be treated to a game between the San Jose State Spartans and the Nevada Wolf Pack when they take their seats on Thursday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Team records:
San Jose State: 13-16 SU, 10-12-1 ATS
Nevada: 19-11 SU, 10-18 ATS
San Jose State most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 0-7
After playing Utah State are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

Nevada most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 9-1
After playing Boise State are 8-2
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Jose State's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose State's last 6 games when playing Nevada
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose State's last 6 games when playing on the road against Nevada
San Jose State is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Nevada is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Jose State
Nevada is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing San Jose State
Nevada is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Nevada's last 6 games at home

Vanderbilt-Alabama Lines Preview

The Vanderbilt Commodores and the Alabama Crimson Tide will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at St. Petes Times Forum.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Vanderbilt beat Arkansas 75-58 as an 8-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (143).
Jeffery Taylor scored 16 points for Vanderbilt and Brad Tinsley added 15 points in the win.
Alabama upset Tennessee 70-67 as a 13.5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (151.5).
Senario Hillman scored 16 points for Alabama and Mikhail Torrance netted 12 points in the win.
Team records:
Vanderbilt: 19-11 SU, 12-14-1 ATS
Alabama: 17-13 SU, 13-12-1 ATS
Vanderbilt most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
After playing Arkansas are 2-8
After a win are 6-4

Alabama most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-3
After playing Tennessee are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Vanderbilt is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Alabama
Vanderbilt is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Vanderbilt is 6-2-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Alabama
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vanderbilt's last 6 games
Alabama is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Alabama's last 6 games
Alabama is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Alabama is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Vanderbilt

Ohio-Bowling Green Lines Preview

The Ohio Bobcats and the Bowling Green Falcons will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Quicken Loans Arena.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Team records:
Ohio: 15-16 SU, 13-15 ATS
Bowling Green: 18-12 SU, 18-8 ATS
Ohio most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
After playing Western Michigan are 3-7
After a win are 5-5

Bowling Green most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
After playing Ohio are 3-7
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Ohio's last 5 games when playing Bowling Green
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Ohio's last 7 games
Ohio is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Bowling Green
Ohio is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Bowling Green's last 5 games when playing Ohio
Bowling Green is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Bowling Green is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Bowling Green's last 6 games

Oklahoma State-Oklahoma Lines Preview

The Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Oklahoma Sooners will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Ford Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Five players reached double figures to lead Oklahoma State past the Iowa State 81-67 in the first-round of the Big 12 Conference Tournament on Wednesday. Oklahoma State managed to cover the 10.5-point spread, and the game's 148 points made it OVER the posted total of 144.
Obi Muonelo and Marshall Moses each had 18 points, and James Anderson chipped in with 15 points in that win.
Blake Griffin scored 33 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to set a Big 12 season record and Oklahoma beat Oklahoma State 82-78 on Saturday afternoon.
The Sooners failed to cover the 9-point spread, while the final score played OVER the posted total of 157.5.
Team records:
Oklahoma State: 21-10 SU, 14-10-1 ATS
Oklahoma: 27-4 SU, 14-12 ATS
Oklahoma State most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
After playing Iowa State are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

Oklahoma most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
After playing Oklahoma State are 4-6
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Oklahoma State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma State's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma
Oklahoma State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma
Oklahoma is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma State
Oklahoma is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Oklahoma's last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma State

Tulane-Memphis Lines Preview

The Tulane Green Wave and the Memphis Tigers will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at FedExForum.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Tulane built up a nine point lead and went on to defeat East Carolina 69-59 in the first-round of the Conference USA Tournament on Wednesday. Tulane covered the 3-point spread, but the combined 128 points went UNDER the game's posted total of 137.
Kevin Sims dropped a game-high 23 points from 7-for-12 shooting in that win.
Tyreke Evans led a balanced offensive attack with 17 points as Memphis cruised to an easy 74-47 win over Tulane on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers covered the 24.5-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the posted total of 130.
Team records:
Tulane: 14-16 SU, 13-11 ATS
Memphis: 28-3 SU, 18-10-2 ATS
Tulane most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
After playing East Carolina are 5-5
After a win are 3-7

Memphis most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
After playing Tulane are 8-2
After a win are 10-0
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tulane's last 5 games on the road
Tulane is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tulane's last 5 games when playing on the road against Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tulane's last 6 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Memphis's last 5 games
Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tulane

Duquesne-Rhode Island Lines Preview

The Duquesne Dukes and the Rhode Island Rams will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Boardwalk Hall.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Team records:
Duquesne: 19-11 SU, 12-12 ATS
Rhode Island: 22-9 SU, 14-11-1 ATS
Duquesne most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-6
After playing Massachusetts are 3-7
After a win are 5-5

Rhode Island most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-6
After playing Massachusetts are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Duquesne is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Duquesne is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Rhode Island
Rhode Island is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Duquesne
Rhode Island is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Rhode Island's last 6 games

Fresno State-Utah State Lines Preview

The Fresno State Bulldogs and the Utah State Aggies will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Lawlor Events Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Team records:
Fresno State: 13-20 SU, 13-13-3 ATS
Utah State: 27-4 SU, 14-11 ATS
Fresno State most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
After playing Hawaii are 8-2
After a win are 3-7

Utah State most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
After playing San Jose State are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Fresno State's last 7 games when playing Utah State
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Fresno State's last 6 games
Fresno State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Fresno State is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games
Utah State is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Utah State's last 7 games when playing Fresno State
Utah State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Fresno State

San Diego-UNLV Lines Preview

The San Diego State Aztecs and the UNLV Rebels will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Thomas & Mack Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
San Diego State erased a small deficit and dominated the second half to earn a 57-46 victory over UNLV on Saturday. San Diego State covered the 4-point spread, while the 103 points went well UNDER the posted total of 129.
Team records:
San Diego State: 21-8 SU, 14-10-2 ATS
UNLV: 21-9 SU, 12-15 ATS
San Diego State most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
After playing UNLV are 7-3
After a win are 6-4

UNLV most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
After playing San Diego State are 9-1
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Diego State's last 8 games
San Diego State is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Diego State's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego State's last 7 games when playing UNLV
UNLV is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of UNLV's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of UNLV's last 7 games when playing San Diego State
UNLV is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against San Diego State