Mets closer Rodriguez has ligament tear
Baseball Betting Lines
08/16/2010 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has a ligament tear in his right thumb, and it has been recommended that he undergo surgery to repair the injury.
Rodriguez did not travel with the Mets to Houston following Sunday's game against Philadelphia and was examined at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. An MRI exam revealed the tear, while the Mets' medical staff recommended surgery. A date for the procedure has not been set.
It is unclear exactly how Rodriguez suffered the injury, but several media outlets reported he injured the thumb Wednesday, when he allegedly hit his girlfriend's father after a loss to Colorado. He was taken into custody by police and released a day later, then was issued a two-game suspension by the Mets.
Rodriguez pitched Saturday, but his season is now apparently over. In 53 appearances, he has posted a 2.20 ERA, 25 saves and 4-2 record.
The 28-year-old is due to make $11.5 million in 2011, the last year of his contract. However, he has an option for 2012 worth $17.5 million that is guaranteed if Rodriguez finishes 55 games in 2011, finishes 100 games between 2010-11, and if doctors declare him healthy after the 2011 season. Rodriguez has finished 46 games this year.
Brooklyn, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Harvick was enduring a miserable season at this point in 2009, as he sat 23rd in the Sprint Cup Series point standings. One year later, "Happy Harvick" is smiling more than ever after winning his third race
<< Texans rookie RB Tate done for season
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Houston Texans rookie running back Ben Tate
will miss the season due to a fractured ankle, head coach Gary Kubiak
announced on Monday.
Tate was carted off the field in the third quarter of Saturday
<< Rezai advances; Peer exits Rogers Cup
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sixteenth-seeded Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai
moved on, while 14th-seeded Israeli Shahar Peer went by way of an opening-
round upset Monday at the $2 million Rogers Cup, a U.S. Open tune-up.
Rezai came from behin
<< Rangers OF Cruz hits DL again
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers placed outfielder
Nelson Cruz on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a left hamstring strain.
The move is retroactive to August 15.
It's the third time the 30-year-old has b
<< United cruises past Newcastle
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester United began its Premiership
season with a comfortable 3-0 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday.
First-half goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Fletcher put the hosts well
on the
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Miami Heat organization responded on Monday to forward Udonis Haslem's drug possession and unlawful speeding charges stemming from a traffic stop on Sunday. "We are aware of the incident involving Udo
NIT tip-off field, brackets announced >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The National Invitation Tournament announced
the field for its 16-team Tip-off tournament on Monday, installing Villanova
as the top seed.
Other teams in the field for the event, set to begin November
McGrady signs on in Motown >>
Auburn Hills, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Pistons announced the signing
of veteran swingman Tracy McGrady to a one-year contract Monday.
According to the Detroit Free Press, McGrady will play for the league minimum
of $1.35 million f
Saints take Meachem off PUP list >>
Metairie, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Saints activated wide
receiver Robert Meachem off the physically unable to perform list Monday.
Meachem took to the practice field for the first time since undergoing
toe surg
Lions put Dizon on IR, take Simpson off PUP list >>
Allen Park, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Lions placed linebacker Jordon
Dizon on injured reserve Monday and activated safety Ko Simpson off the
physically unable to perform list.
Dizon, primarily a special teams contributor
NFL Football Betting
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.