08/09/2008 - Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets purchased the contract of pitcher Brian Stokes from Triple-A New Orleans to make a spot start for Saturday's game against the Florida Marlins.
Stokes, 28, has made 23 appearances -- 22 starts -- in Triple-A this season, compiling a 10-8 record with a 4.41 earned run average. Stokes recorded a 3-7 record and 6.46 ERA in 64 games -- including four starts -- with Tampa Bay in 2006-07.
The spot start comes in the wake of John Maine's stint on the disabled list with a strained right rotator cuff. Maine hasn't pitched since July 28 against the Marlins, as he was forced to leave the game after sustaining the injury.
To make room for Stokes on the roster, the Mets optioned pitcher Ruddy Lugo to New Orleans. Lugo has not made any appearances for the Mets this season.
<< Browns terminate CB Baxter's contract
Berea, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Browns put Gary Baxter's comeback
on hold when they terminated the cornerback's contract on Saturday.
Baxter, 29, joined the Browns in 2005 as a free agent from Baltimore, but he
played in just
<< Lakers agree to terms with Chinese guard
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to terms on
a contract with point guard Sun Yue. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 22-year-old was the Lakers' second-round choice in the 2007 draft out of
Chinese
<< Bodine captures first truck pole of the season
Lebanon, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Todd Bodine won the pole for Saturday's Toyota
Tundra 200 at the Nashville Superspeedway. The No.30 Germain Racing Toyota
driver rounded the 1.333-mile concrete oval in 30.244 seconds (158.669
m.p.h.)
<< Angels place Willits on disabled list
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim placed
outfielder Reggie Willits on the 15-day disabled list with a concussion.
Willits left Friday's 10-5 victory over the New York Yankees in the
seventh in
Ambrose picks up first Nationwide win at Watkins Glen >>
Watkins Glen, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marcos Ambrose became a first-time race
winner in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Saturday with a victory in the Zippo
200 at Watkins Glen International. The No.59 Ford driver crossed the finish
line 4.335 secon
Reds place Votto on bereavement list >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Reds placed first baseman
Joey Votto on the bereavement list on Saturday and selected the contract of
infielder Adam Rosales from Triple-A Louisville.
The 24-year-old Votto is eligibl
Barrett goal leads TFC to improbable win at Colorado >>
Commerce City, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Rapids had all the
advantages heading into their Major League Soccer fixture vs. Toronto FC on
Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
The Rapids were playing at home, had a w
French horse captures Arlington Million XXVI >>
Arlington Heights, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - European invader Spirit One went
wire-to-wire to win Saturday's 26th running of the Arlington Million at
Arlington Park. The victory in the 1 1/4 mile grass race, part of the "Win
and Yo
Elite 8 NCAA Tournament Betting at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
In what should be an outstanding Saturday of March Madness betting action, the top four teams in the South and West Regions square off in what should be extremely close match-ups. Three of the four teams are coming off extremely close games on Thursday evening, only UCLA won semi comfortably over Pitt 64-55.
Ohio State is coming off their second game in a row where in all reality they should have lost. Of course that doesn’t matter now since the name of the game is “survive and advance” but as the tournament continues, they can’t afford to keep getting down to their opponents early. Kansas also avoided a scare by holding off a scrappy Southern Illinois squad. In the third thrilling game of the evening Memphis pulled off the minor upset (+3.5) despite being the higher seed to Texas A&M.
Although the spreads are fairly small for Saturday’s games, MySportsbook.com continue to bet against the underdogs. Despite OSU’s two scares, 86% of the “betting public” feels the Buckeyes (-1.5) have what it takes to make the Final Four. In fact, so much of the early money is on OSU that the line has already moved from -1 to -1.5. In the second game of the doubleheader, Kansas and their high-powered offense are 2 point favorites as they take on UCLA and their effective defense. About 63% of the early money thus far is once again backing the favorites. If those percentages stay that high, don’t be surprised if this line moves as well. If you like Kansas (-2) you might want to jump on it early.
Memphis vs. Ohio State
Both squads were involved in thrillers on Thursday evening and should come out fired up. OSU can ill afford to get behind early like they did versus their previous two opponents (Xavier, Tennessee). Greg Oden needs to stay out of foul trouble; the Buckeyes are a completely different team when he is on the court. Memphis definitely has the athleticism and length to match-up with OSU. Of Memphis’ five leading minute earners, the shortest of the bunch is 6’5”. Each team has a very effective defense; Memphis surrenders 62.3 PPG whereas the Buckeyes give up only 61 PPG. With those type of numbers, it isn’t surprising that Memphis covered the UNDER almost 69% of the time this season. As a favorite, OSU has covered the UNDER almost 66% of the time over the last three seasons. The major concern for Memphis which is magnifies this time of the year is their brutal foul shooting (62%). This season, OSU is 17-11 ATS versus teams with a winning record and 7-2 ATS in all tournament games. Memphis has been an extremely reliable cover in tournament play in recent years with a 23-8 ATS record over the last three seasons.
UCLA vs. Kansas
In the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, UCLA will play in a role which they are very unfamiliar with that of the underdog. Only twice this season have they been getting points from the handicappers and both times they covered. Over the last three seasons UCLA is a reliable 23-7 ATS in this unfamiliar role. UCLA has not fared well against Big 12 opponents recently going 1-7 ATS since 1997. Giving up only 59.6 PPG, UCLA will definitely look to do what they do best: keep this game as low scoring as possible. Their defense has been especially tough during the tournament. UCLA opponents have been able to muster up only 48.7 PPG while shooting a combined 34.5% from the field. UCLA definitely has a challenge at hand with a Kansas team that is capable of putting points on the board in bunches. As a team, they average 79 PPG and shoot an impressive 49.6% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc. During the tournament Kansas has been “lights out” from the field having shot 56.2%.
With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action. Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.
To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards
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