Farrah Fawcett Dies

As Philadelphians mourn the loss of Evil Irv Homer, people from all over the world will also mourn the passing of 70s cover girl Farrah Fawcett. She was given her last rites shortly before succumbing to the horrible disease.

She put up a good fight and kept her head held high through most of it, but in the end “it” won. Hollywood actress Farrah Fawcett died today of rectal cancer at the age of 62. She will be forever remembered for her strength and her courage. Her longtime partner Ryan O’Neal, who was about to marry the “Angel”, and her friend Alana Stewart, who filmed a documentary about her cancer battle, were by her side when she died at 9:28 a.m. at a Los Angeles hospital.

“Her big message to people is don’t give up, no matter what they say to you, keep fighting,” said Stewart.

Aside from her role as “Jill Munroe” in “Charlie’s Angels,” Farrah’s popularity was also catapulted as a result of the poster of her in a red bathing suit — with her huge smile and that gorgeous head of hair. That one poster sold millions of copies and is likely still in the hands of millions of fans around the world.

May she rest in peace.

Other Hollywood  news seems to hold less importance. Every paparazzi wants to be the first to get Maria Belen Shapur photos and there is the story of Jon & Kate Plus 8 divided by two.

When the summer rolls around, you really get a sense of how low television can get. You think reality TV is bad during the actual season? Just wait for summer.

There are shows combining dancing with weight loss, and shows that just put a bunch of C-list stars on the screen not really doing much of anything.

Yes it has jumped the shark, but the sad thing is, it does not matter. It is cheap to make and there are endless amounts of people willing to do it.

As long as shows like Jon and Kate Plus 8 keep bringing in millions of watchers, producers are going to continue to pump out horrible shows.

The reality is, Reality TV is not going anywhere, and it is only going to get worse.

Stick to the true Reality TV, which is sports. There is no fixing the outcome (we think) or editing to tell a certain story.

Get Hollywood and entertainment betting odds   on all your favorite Reality shows in the Bodog Sportsbook.

Dismiss the rumor that Justin Timberlake is cheating on Jessica Biel. Please. But consider this juicy tidbit of gossip straight off Page Six in the New York Post: Both Timberlake and Lindsay Lohan were spotted at Chelsea hot spot Avenue, Timberlake the drunker of the two. As the “spy” for Page Six tells it, “He was drinking tequila all night. At one point, he cleared out a little space and started break dancing. He was bumping into people and spilling drinks. It was hilarious.”

And then at one point, little miss Lohan approached J.T. for a dance but he “shooed her away.”

Appalled that anyone would dismiss her like that, Lohan posted a message on her Twitter page: “Where’s jb cheater?” And then the next day added, “Why do people cheat?”

Lohan claims someone hacked into her Twitter account and posted those messages, but we’re not buying it. What we are buying is the added tip that others at the club are saying that they did indeed see Timberlake getting up close and personal with a brunette that clearly was not Jessica.

Those darn kids. When will they learn? You never, EVER send drunk (email, Twitter or Facebook) messages, no matter how damn much you want to. Never. And you just don’t dance with Lindsay Lohan. Period.

All this Hollywood news is brought to you by Bodog sportsbook, the source for MLB odds and Hollywood bets alike.

 

 

 

Oh Canada: Great in Hockey, Horrible in Basketball

Popular sportsbook Bodog has offices in beautiful Vancouver and eclectic Montreal. One of their top writers states the fairly obvious: that Canada is still the world’s best in hockey, but not so great in basketball.

Now if you are from Canada, you are probably wondering to yourself why this is even a topic.

But over the years the rest of the world has been catching up, and when you look at who is winning awards each year you really have to wonder if the kids from Canada are still No. 1.

Don Cherry would beat you down for saying it, but clearly the players from the former Soviet Union are right there in terms of the best players.

But Canada is still regarded as having the best, and will continue to do so simply because Canada is the birthplace of hockey.

Sidney Crosby is the latest in a long line of great Canuck players and he will be the star attraction when Canada takes on the world at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Heart and toughness has always been Canadian players’ calling cards, and that is what makes Canada’s hockey players the best.

Get our NHL Odds in the Bodog Sportsbook! Of course in making sports picks it’s about covering the point spread.

It is a little harsh to say Canada sucks at basketball, but when you compare it to the United States that really is the only conclusion you can make.

Canada has a lot of kids playing basketball at a grassroots level but so many of them don’t follow through.

It is not the dream of a Canadian kid to make the NBA. They grow up wanting to play hockey.

Steve Nash is an exception, but even he had to make it happen himself. He had to play collage ball in the US just to get noticed.

Canada only has the Toronto Raptors, so it is hard to grow a basketball culture. Until that happens, the money needed to develop young players will never be there.

College ball north of the border looks nothing like what the average American fan is used to; there is no glamour or betting on the college basketball betting odds

 

Hotter Than Maria Belen Shapur, Handicapper Continues Windfall Profits

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Cards and Mets finish off their series, the Yankees take on the Braves, and the PGA Tour goes to TPC River Highlands. Shaquille O’Neal has been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The Cardinals and Mets will both send their aces to the mound on Thursday afternoon when the teams close out their four-game series in New York. St. Louis will go with Chris Carpenter (5-1, 1.53 ERA), who has given up three or fewer earned runs in each of his nine starts so far this season; the righthander beat the Royals last time out. New York’s Johan Santana (8-5, 3.22 ERA) has been tagged with the loss in his last two starts, surrendering 11 runs in 10 1-3 innings.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox will send John Smoltz (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound on Sunday to take on the Nationals and Jordan Zimmerman (2-3, 5.03 ERA). Righthander Smoltz will be brought back from the disabled list to make his Boston debut in that contest, having spent the last few months recovering from shoulder surgery. Righthander Zimmerman has given up just two earned runs over 10 2-3 innings in his last two starts, but settled for a no-decision both times.

Mark Sanford mistress is Maria Belen Shapur, but it’s gotten to the point was the sportsbooks are the mistress of Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy. His GodsTips baseball betting is winning at a rate 95 of gamblers will never achieve without his advice.

We told you in no uncertain terms, that our rare bad nights are always, always, always followed by serious payback. But not just one night’s worth. Last night’s 4-1 including a Wise Guy sweep is just the beginning.

We have two day Wise Guys then two more at night. Four Wise Guys in the same days is extremely rare, so this is a huge day for sharp bettors.  Oh and we have three night Majors in MLB from Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy.  Do you want to be on the outside looking in? Click now to purchase

GodsTips is no Joanna Philbin or Google Voice come lately, having first hit the scene as a scorephone handicapping legend, JD of the ACC.

And the Orioles will be trying to get a second straight win from Rich Hill (3-1, 5.18 ERA) on Thursday night when they conclude their series in Florida. Lefthander Hill knocked off the Phillies in his last trip to the mound, holding them to two earned runs on five hits over 6 2-3 innings of work. The Marlins will counter with Sean West (2-2, 3.97 ERA); the lefthander was knocked around for five earned runs on 10 hits over four innings pitched in a loss to the Yankees last Friday night.

Also on the MLB slate for Thursday: the Dodgers at the White Sox, the Cubs at Detroit, Kansas City at Houston, Minnesota at Milwaukee, San Diego at Seattle, Cleveland at Pittsburgh, Cincinnati at Toronto, Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, Texas at Arizona, and the Yankees at Atlanta. That last matchup will see New York’s Andy Pettitte (7-3, 4.26 ERA) battle with the Braves’ Derek Lowe (7-5, 4.09 ERA).

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover is pegged as 20/1 odds to claim back-to-back victories this week at the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands. Sergio Garcia is listed as the 8/1 Vegas favorite for the tournament, with David Toms at 10/1, and Kenny Perry at 12/1. Stewart Cink, who won the Travelers Championship last year, is tied with Zach Johnson, Justin Leonard, and Anthony Kim at 15/1 odds. Hunter Mahan and Vijay Singh are with Glover at 20/1 to win.

Finally, the lone WNBA game on the Thursday schedule has Phoenix at Washington. The Mercury are coming off a 91-87 loss in San Antonio on Tuesday night, with Cappie Pondexter pouring in a game-high 26 points for Phoenix in that win. The Mystics pulled out an 81-72 win over Chicago in their last game; Washington received 31 points from Alana Beard in that home victory.  

Bodog World Series of Poker Updates

As far as bettors are concerned, poker is the ultimate fan and participation sport. Whether it’s playing online at Bodog or wagering on the WSOP 2009 Vegas odds, there is no need to wait until it’s NFL picks season.

Here are the latest World Series of Poker updates.

At his fourth final table so far of the 2009 WSOP, poker pro Jeff Lisandro ran over the competition to capture his astounding third bracelet of the summer. What makes this accomplishment even more incredible is that they were all won in stud events –$1,500 Seven Card Stud, $10,000 World Championship Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo and, now, $2,500 Seven Card Razz – making him arguably the best stud player in the world.

On top of his four WSOP final tables this year, Lisandro has cashed in two other events to bring his winnings so far to $807,491. Not bad for a few weeks work. While he doesn’t have the WSOP Player of the Year honors wrapped up quite yet (it seems there’s still a mathematical possibility that Phil Ivey could overtake him), he is definitely the front runner for the award.

This is the fourth bracelet for the native-born Australian, who now calls Italy home, and his 31st total WSOP cash. He finished 17th in the Main Event in 2006 and has just cracked the $4 million mark in career poker tournament earnings. Wow.

The 2009 WSOP and the Bodog Poker pros out in the field seem to have settled in for the long haul, especially Jean Robert Bellande. Bodog is more than just the sharpest NFL point spread.

According to PokerNews, he has one of the biggest stacks in the field right now and got some of those chips from bidding adios to Phil Hellmuth. Here is how it went down:

Just before a multiway limped pot, Phil Hellmuth shouts to Annie Duke, “Watch how I play this one…”

They see a A-6-3 flop and it’s checked to Hellmuth who bets 450. Jean-Robert Bellande check-raises all in and Hellmuth quickly calls with 7-7, ahead of Bellande’s J-6. The turn is a K but the river is a devil for Hellmuth, another 6 to eliminate him.

So, it looks like Bellande is now sitting on about 40k in chips and is still next to Maria Ho (some guys have all the luck).

David Williams and Justin Bonomo both look equally as comfortable at the table, if not as stacked. Well, we would be too if we were getting a massage like Bonomo is right now, but that’s beside the point (don’t think they come up to media row, maybe it’s the guy next to us who smells like he may not have showered …. ever). Williams is just hanging out and texting/tweeting and chatting with Erick Lindgren, who is across the table from him.

Also Bodog Poker pro Evelyn Ng has a new toy and his name is Stevie. This isn’t a boy toy, or even a new Rock Band guitar (although good guess), it is her brand new shiny Vespa that she purchased just over a week ago. While her experience on Stevie had solely been in parking lots, she ventured out into traffic recently with the friend who inspired her purchase – Maria “mariduMayrinck – to go to the salon to ger her hairs did. As Maria is capturing her WSOP experience on camera for PokerRoad, they posted it for all to enjoy. So….. enjoy.

Rangers-Diamondbacks Lines Preview

The Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Chase Field in an interleague contest.
The Rangers will trot Scott Feldman out to the mound in this one. Righthander Feldman has a 5-2 record and a 3.18 ERA this season.
Starting this game for the Diamondbacks will be Jon Garland. The righthander has a 4.99 ERA to go along with a 4-7 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Diamondbacks listed as 105-moneyline favorites versus the Rangers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Felipe Lopez drove in the winning run to help the Rangers defeat the Diamondbacks 2-1 on Wednesday, as +165 underdogs. That game’s three runs went UNDER the night’s posted over/under (8.5).
David Murphy drove in the other run for the Rangers. Vicente Padilla allowed six hits and one run over seven innings to record the victory.
Taylor Teagarden drove in the only run for the Diamondbacks, who were -185 favorites in that contest. Dan Haren surrendered four hits and two runs over seven innings in the loss.
Team records:
Texas: 38-32 SU
Arizona: 30-42 SU
Texas most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 9-1
Before playing San Diego are 6-4
After playing Arizona are 7-3
After a win are 4-6

Arizona most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing LA Angels are 2-8
After playing Texas are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Texas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Arizona
Texas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Texas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Arizona is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Arizona is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Texas
Next up:
Texas home to San Diego, Friday, June 26
Arizona home to LA Angels, Friday, June 26

 

Orioles-Marlins Odds Preview

The fans at LandShark Stadium will be treated to a interleague game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Florida Marlins when they take their seats on Thursday.
Rich Hill will be the starting pitcher for the Orioles on this day. Lefthander Hill is 3-1 this season with a 5.18 ERA.
It’ll be Sean West toeing the rubber for the Marlins in this contest. Lefthander West is 2-2 with a 3.97 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Marlins listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Orioles, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Marlins won their fourth straight overall by defeating the Orioles 5-2 on Wednesday, as -150 favorites. That game’s seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9).
Cody Ross went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs in leading the Marlins. Ricky Nolasco earned his fourth win of the season, and Dan Meyer got his first save.
Melvin Mora had two hits and drove in one run for the Orioles, who were +130 underdogs. Jason Berken scattered four hits and three runs over five innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Baltimore has lost 2 straight games.
Florida has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Baltimore: 32-39 SU
Florida: 37-36 SU
Baltimore most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Washington are 7-3
After playing Florida are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

Florida most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Tampa Bay are 0-10
After playing Baltimore are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Baltimore is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Baltimore is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Baltimore is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Florida
Baltimore is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Florida
Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Baltimore
Florida is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Baltimore
Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Florida is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Baltimore home to Washington, Friday, June 26
Florida at Tampa Bay, Friday, June 26

 

Yankees-Braves Lines Preview

The New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Turner Field in an interleague contest.
Lefthander Andy Pettitte will take the mound for the Yankees to start this game. Pettitte is 7-3 this season with a 4.26 ERA.
The Braves will counter Pettitte with ace Derek Lowe. Righthander Lowe has a 4.09 ERA to go along with a 7-5 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Braves listed as 110-moneyline favorites versus the Yankees, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Yankees scored four times over the final two innings as they defeated the Braves 8-4 on Wednesday, as -130 favorites. That game’s 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher drove in a pair of runs each for the Yankees. Joba Chamberlain improved to 4-2 with the win, and Mariano Rivera notched his 16th save.
Jeff Francoeur hit a solo home run and drove in two runs for the Braves, who were +110 underdogs. Kris Medlen suffered the loss on the mound, allowing three hits and three runs in relief.
Team records:
New York: 39-32 SU
Atlanta: 34-37 SU
New York most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing NY Mets are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 4-6
After a win are 3-7

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing NY Yankees are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
NY Yankees are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
NY Yankees are 11-5 SU in their last 16 games when playing Atlanta
NY Yankees are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games
NY Yankees are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games on the road
Atlanta is 5-11 SU in their last 16 games when playing NY Yankees
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
Next up:
NY Yankees at NY Mets, Friday, June 26
Atlanta home to Boston, Friday, June 26

 

Phillies-Rays Odds Preview

The fans at Tropicana Field will be treated to a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays when they take their seats on Thursday.
The Phillies will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Antonio Bastardo in this game. Bastardo has a 2-2 record and a 5.21 ERA this season.
It’ll be Andy Sonnanstine toeing the rubber for the Rays in this contest. Righthander Sonnanstine is 5-7 with a 6.60 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 140-moneyline favorites versus the Phillies, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Rays scored five times in the eighth inning and secured a 7-1 win over the Phillies on Wednesday, as -175 favorites. That game’s eight runs fell UNDER the night’s posted over/under (9).
Pat Burrell led the way with a two-run homer and three RBIs for the Rays. Matt Garza tossed eight innings for the win, allowing three this and one run over eight innings on the mound.
Jayson Werth homered in a losing effort for the Phillies, who were +155 underdogs. Joe Blanton gave up two runs over seven innings.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 37-32 SU
Tampa Bay: 38-35 SU
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Toronto are 4-6
After playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 8-2
After playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Philadelphia is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Philadelphia is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Philadelphia is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Tampa Bay is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Next up:
Philadelphia at Toronto, Friday, June 26
Tampa Bay home to Florida, Friday, June 26

 

 

Reds-Blue Jays Odds Preview

The Cincinnati Reds and the Toronto Blue Jays will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Rogers Centre.
Righthander Johnny Cueto will take the mound for the Reds to start this game. Cueto is 6-4 this season with a 2.55 ERA.
Starting this game for the Blue Jays will be Brett Cecil. The lefthander has a 4.26 ERA to go along with a 2-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Blue Jays listed as 120-moneyline favorites versus the Reds, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Blue Jays scored five runs in the first inning en route to a 8-2 victory over the Reds on Wednesday, as -150 favorites. That game’s 10 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
Aaron Hill finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a solo home run and three RBIs for the Blue Jays. Scott Richmond tossed seven innings for the win, allowing two runs and two hits.
Jonny Gomes hit a solo home run for the Reds, who were +130 underdogs. Bronson Arroyo gave up seven runs over 3 2-3 innings of work.
Current streak:
Cincinnati has lost 4 straight games.
Toronto has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Cincinnati: 34-36 SU
Toronto: 40-33 SU
Cincinnati most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Cleveland are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 3-4
After a loss are 4-6

Toronto most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After playing Cincinnati are 4-3
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Cincinnati is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Cincinnati is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Cincinnati is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Cincinnati is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Next up:
Cincinnati at Cleveland, Friday, June 26
Toronto home to Philadelphia, Friday, June 26

 

Red Sox-Nationals Lines Preview

The Washington Nationals will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Thursday when they take on the Boston Red Sox at Nationals Park.
The Red Sox will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander John Smoltz in this game. Smoltz has a 0-0 record and a 0.00 ERA this season.
The Nationals will counter Smoltz with Jordan Zimmermann. Righthander Zimmermann has a 5.03 ERA to go along with a 2-3 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Red Sox listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Red Sox extended their winning streak to four games with a 6-4 win over the Nationals on Wednesday, as -175 favorites. That game’s 10 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
David Ortiz belted a three-run home run to lead the Red Sox. Jon Lester evened his record to 6-6 with the win, and Jonathan Papelbon earned his 17th save.
Josh Willingham hit a two-run single for the Nationals, who were +155 underdogs. Craig Stammen surrendered six runs over 5 1-3 innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Boston has won 4 straight games.
Washington has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Boston: 44-27
SU
Washington
: 20-49 SU
Boston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Atlanta are 6-4
After playing Washington are 8-2
After a win are 8-2

Washington most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Baltimore are 5-5
After playing Boston are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Boston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games at home
Washington is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Next up:
Boston at Atlanta, Friday, June 26
Washington at Baltimore, Friday, June 26

 

Sports betting blog with sports handicapping picks from the best sports handicappers, pregame betting information, sports handicapping articles, links to live odds, free picks, sportsbook information and more. All pro gamblers go to this betting blog before placing a bet.