Forget Ravens/Steelers...next week it's the Game of the Year: COLTS @ PATS

Ok, now look. It's not like Baltimore vs Pittsburgh isn't a fine matchup and it's not like it won't be a tough struggle between two physical teams. In fact, if you are really are wondering, I'll even give you the winner up on our Pick of the Day site.

HOWEVER...as fun as this game will be...let's just try and focus on the near future instead of the present. Specifically, next week.

COLTS @ PATRIOTS. Game of the year. Even with all the commercials, all the promos, all the buffoonery of Madden, this is a game I will not miss. Will the Colts stay undefeated? Can they finally overcome their hated foes, outside, on the road in Foxborough where Peyton Manning generally plays more like Ryan Leaf, the man picked just after him in the '98 draft.

And likewise, can the Pats recover their season. For heaven's sakes they almost lost to the Bills last night. AT HOME!!!! They need to turn this thing around in a hurry and what better place to do it and opponent to do it against than on Monday Night Football with the league watching them play the team they have OWNED the last 4 years.

Drool Drool Drool. It's not often the pure fan in me comes out, we are after all degenerate gamblers here at www.BetBug.com, but for this game, on this night, I don't want to think about point spreads or covers. I just want a beer, a pizza, and the game of the year in the NFL.

Bad news for the Firghting Irish

The biggest Tennessee fans in the world yesterday were the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. For the Irish to move up in the BCS they need all their opponents to keep winning. And Tennesse, who they play next weekend, lost yesterday at home to Steve Spurier and the South Carolina Gamecocks. A very bad result for the Mr. Weiss and his Catholic Alterboys.

The game next week still remains a huge matchup, but it has definately lost some of it's luster and it's ability to propell Notre Dame up the rankings. Speaking of the race for the Rose Bowl, BetBug offers odds every week on who will win the Rose Bowl as well as who will walk away with the Heisman Trophy. The USC boys, Bush and Leinart, look pretty good, but if Vince Young keeps playing the way his can, well, it just might be more than a two person race. And this all is predicated on Michael Vick's younger brother not being any factor at all, which thanks to no playoff in NCAA football he is not. But a few losses to a few teams and you can start talking about both he and Virginia Tech for both trophies.

NFL Week 8

Well we've reached what is basically the half way point of the NFL season and there are, as per usual, a few surprises. Tampa Bay on top of their division, and New England at 3-3 certainly qualify as that. And while I'm sure you could have predicted Indy would be a fine team, 7-0 with defence is rather shocking. But surely the biggest surprise is Cincinnati. Led by their young gun QB Carson Palmer, they are on top of the AFC North and looking like a serious Super Bowl contender.

Not to blow one's own horn, but if you scroll back into the September archives you will find a post in fact GIVING YOU the Bengals and Palmer as being about to have a break out year.

BetBug has, of course, the game lines, with totals and moneylines, as well as parlays, props, and futures for all the divisions, conferences and the Super Bowl. With 10 weeks to go, plenty of time to turn that season around, or press up those early wins into a truly big score.

Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships

The day all horse players await is almost upon us. Tomorrow is Breeder's Cup day. This is the one day each year where all the best horse come together to settle every division's championship. In most years the BC Classic is the ultimate race, but this year the Sprint may be the race most people want to see. This is because the undefeated 3yr old Lost in the Fog runs against older horses for the first time in this race and will be going for his 11th win in a row. If he does win, and there is an upset in the Classic (which already today has seen the withdrawl of Rock Hard Ten), then Lost in the Fog could become the first sprinter to ever win Horse of the Year. And deservedly so.

The BC Turf is, as per usual, a showcase for some of the best turf horses, not just in America, but in the world. Although it really should have been an even better race. The Arc winner Hurricane Run and the Epsom derby winner Motivater both are not running, last year's unlucky loser Powerscourt is out, and Kitten's Joy, the pro-term favorite for the race until late summer, all will not be making the starting gate. Nonetheless, it is a fine field led by Bago and Azamour and last year's winner Better Talk Now. I like a complete and total rank outsider Silverfoot, but don't go betting the house on him.

The BC Distaff has the best dirt fillies running with Ashado looking to prove her divisional dominance and retire in style, but she is certainly no lock. Anyone of about 5 other fillies have a chance, and Ashado will have to run her best race to win. If she does that, she probably will win. But she had to do it first.

At www.BetBug.com we've got the big three races up and you can take anything from 2:1 right up to 80:1 odds on numerous horses.

With apologies to the Kentucky Derby, Breeders' Cup day is really the best day of the year to be a racing fan.

REDSOX...WHITESOX...You know who's next...!!!

Look, this is very simple. The Gods of Baseball are simply working in reverse order of longest drought for a World Series. Last year it was the Red Sox reversing the curse and capturing their first title since 1918. This year it's the White Sox overcoming their Black Sox ignomy and winning their first title since 1917.

There's just one team left.

That's right. In the year of our lord, 2006, the Chicago Cubs will finally, mercifully, absolutely bring joy to their long suffering fans for the first time in almost 100 years.

And then...the world will end.

Well that was not quite what we had in mind

If the Astros could ever actually score a run, they'd be right back in this series. However thanks to some rather large degrees of futility last evening during their numerous chances, you can now pretty much close the book on the 2005 MLB season. At least now we won't have to put up with the Southsiders constant whining about Shoeless Joe and not having won a World Series since the middle of WWI.

Game 3

At last quick note about tonight's World Series Game. 2-0 comebacks are not as rare as you would think. 20 times in the history of baseball has a team that was up 2-0 choked away that lead. Astros aren't as done as everyone thinks. Go Roy.

Michael Vick

I love watching him play, but he will never stay healthy for an entire season. So long as he scampers around like he does. And that is what makes him the intimidating presence that he is, so if you take that aspect of his game away from him, you take away a good deal of what makes him great.

However, he is playing tonight, and as such, the Jets are in trouble. Atlanta has a very good team and the Jets are...well...the Jets. BetBug offers not just the side, total, and moneyline, but parlays and teasers on tonights big matchup as well. If you're looking for good value, 5 cents juice is rather tought to beat I'd say.

Astros Not out of It

Even if they lose tonight, they've still got all their home games left. And Clemens will be back. He won't let himself go out like that. Wait till Chicago wins tonight and then bet the Astros at huge odds on the series line at www.BetBug.com.

The World Series

Houston and Chicago. Not exactly the Cards and the Yankees as one might have expected to start the year. And thank God for that. Clemens starting for his home town team at 43. Even if you think he's a pompous and arrogant self promoter (and I must admit to some of that point of view), you cannot argue with his success...or his numbers.

BetBug has the game and series line, plus a WORLD SERIES MVP MARKET. So if you do love the Rocketman to step up, then get down on him at 9:1 and cheer him on tonight.

1-4 and only a game out of 1st!

Ah yes, the NFC North, or as it is so aptly referred to by those who recall the futility of it, the NFC Norris division. Chicago and Detroit tied for first at 2-3, with the Vikings and Packers just a game back. It is quite likely we will see the first under .500 team ever to make the playoffs. 6-10 would be almost impossible, given they have to play each other, but 7-9 looks to be very possible.

Others will say it's outrageous, I just think it's funny. Much like the NL West this year, whichever team emerges from the NFL's worst division will be the one I am cheering for to win it all.

Detroit Lions - 45-1 at www.BetBug.com to become Super Bowl Champions. Doesn't that just have a great ring to it?

A Tale of Two Cities

Cards/Astros Game 6

This is not last year. Every single person I've spoken to in the last couple of days says Houston is done. I'm not so sure. Unlike in 2004, they only need to win one, not both games. They have arguably the best pitcher left in the post season starting tonight's game in Oswalt and they have Lidge ready to redeem himself, after a day off. At www.BetBug.com we're also offering parlays now on baseball as well. For instance tonight you can take the Astros and the Under (hint hint) for +340. With Mulder and Oswalt going this ought to be a classic pitchers duel and best of all, ought to be over prior to 1am in the morning.

Houston, we have a problem

Well actually not really. So Lidge got lit up. They're still up 3-2 with, unlike last year, rested and ready starters Oswalt and Clemens going. And Carpenter can't go anymore. One game does not a series make.

www.BetBug.com has the game, the series line, parlays, and World Series Futures up for baseball. Don't let the Cards fool you. Houston is going to be playing Chicago for it all.

Bruschi and Visors

Two points today, both along the same line. New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi is planning a return to football even though he could be at risk of a serious brain injury. This follows hot on the heels of Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs sustaining a severe injury to his eye which once again brought the plaintiff cry for visors to become mandatory for NHL players.

Many people decree both decisions. Don't let Bruschi play they say. And make all hockey players wear visors.

Now ask yourself, if you are one of these people. Why do you care? As a fan, your first, foremost, and only concern is the team's performance. If Bruschi is willing to take the risk and NHL players feel comfortable not wearing eye protection, then good on them.

It's their life. Not yours. If they are colossusly stupid enough to put their bodies at risk, well hell, no one ever said brains were a function of being a pro athlete. Let'em I say. If it helps my team, I do not care.

Junior hockey players all MUST wear visors and no NCAA football player would ever be allowed to return ala Bruschi. So this is not a "protection of our youth" issue.

If you can't get past the possibility that one of your "heroes" may do himself irreparable harm by his actions in the course of helping your team succeed, perhaps you ought to take a look in the mirror and decide whether in fact your "hero worship" isn't just a little misplaced.

They're paid athlete performers, not role models. Treat them as such. To that end BetBug offers the Leafs at 16:1 to win the Stanley Cup. That's the only consideration you should be placing on the shoulders of your team's players. Will their actions help the squad win it all.

If you are looking for role models find a teacher for your kids to emulate. Or better yet, live your life so that they look up to you.

End of Rant.

Now THAT was a football game

I'll admit, I have not really been too fond of USC and thought they were over rated the last few years. But after their clutch performance yesterday, especially from the QB postion, well I just may be willing to give Pete and his boys some applause.

That was the best college football game I can remember. The history of the venue, the crowd, the two coaches, wow...what a game.

Oh and not to be too much a self promoter here, but our Pick of the Day Blog for BetBug, was on Notre Dame and is now 3-1 and all of it at plus money.

Just a little fyi.

You're Fired!...or maybe not

Don't ever let anyone say that Billy Beane will not change his mind. Four days after firing Ken Macha, he and Macha had a phone conversation and low and behold, Mr. Macha is now back, with a three year deal. Which just tells you that Beane is fully capable of realizing he made a bad decision and then re-thinking it. Maybe that's why, although Oakland loses a star each year, or so it seems, they contend every single season as well.

Roy Oswalt

Oswalt pitched a gem last night and the Astros aren't now just back in the series, they are legitimate threats to win it. The Cards had better pray they beat Backe on Sunday, because they may not get a sniff in the two games sandwiched around him, with Clemens and Pettitte going. It's pretty hard to imagine the best team in baseball only winning a single game in the Championship Series, but Larusa has to be worrying this morning that that exact scenario is about to happen. And there may not be anything he can do about it.

If I'm him, I'm praying that the Clemens that shows up tomorrow afternoon, -130 at BetBug, bears a good deal more resemblance to the game 2 starter in the division series, than the game 4 reliever who shutout the Braves late Sunday afternoon.

This whole situation just proves again, that the playoffs DO NOT determine who the best team is. That has already been determined over the preceding 162 games. They simply determine who the luckiest team is over approximately a 21 day stetch. People judging the character or heart of teams based on playoff results are playing a rather foolish and childish game.

So the Angels got roped...big deal

Yes, yes, yes. Cry me a river. LA was hosed last night. Well you know what. Tough luck. Too bad. Move on. If they were good enough, they'd have had a big lead at that point and the call wouldn't have mattered.

If the Halos supporters believe that the karmic Gods of baseball now owe them one and will be paying up, then take the EVEN MONEY at www.BetBug.com on LA for the ALCS.

BUT...just remember Angels fans, this was only Game 2 of the AL Pennant. It could get worse.

See St. Louis circa 1985 and Don Denkinger.

Leafs Win...Leafs Win!

Well it had to happen at some point. The Toronto Maple Leafs finally won a game last night, leaving only Mr. Crosby's and Lemieux's Penguins as the lone winless team in the league. And to make it even more shocking the Leafs beat the powerhouse Flyers (although let's see how those big, lumbering dmen do in the new NHL Bobby...) with their backup goalie in net! This on the heels of getting smoked again in a shootout by the league's best team, the Sens, the night before.

Anyone who is a true Leaf fan (and not one of the lemmings of Leaf Nation) however, should not be happy about this. Toronto just squeaking into the playoffs to lose yet again in the first or second round is getting us no closer to the Cup. We need to finish dead last this year, win the lottery, draft Phil Kessel (the American version of Crosby) and rebuild. Hopefully finishing last for three straight years as well, to give us a shot at John Tavares (9 goals as a 15 YR OLD!!! in first two weeks of junior) in two years time.

The Leafs can be had for 25:1 at www.BetBug.com. But please, save your money. Take the Sens at 6:1 instead. It may not pay as much, but at least you'll be able to say you had the winner.

Yankees 5yr Payroll 1 BILLION, Yankees 5yr World Series ZERO

Well apparently money doesn't buy everything. Truly wonderful to watch the Evil Empire (and their dollar for dollar Fenway progeny for that matter) go down to inglorious defeat yet again.

There is however still baseball to be played, contrary to what you might infer from the New York Post or Boston Globe.

Thusly, BetBug offers the following World Series Odds:

Chicago 2.3:1
Houston 4.5:1
LA 5:1
St Louis 1.6:1

With juice that low, even Jimmy The Greek could come out ahead for the year!

Roger Clemens

43 years young and 18 innings later, Roger Clemens and the Astros beat the Braves to advance to the NLCS in what was the longest game in post season history. WOW! I mean really, what can one say. This one had everything. Clemens batting not once, but twice after the 14th. With a good many people, I dare say, thinking that not only was he going to mow down the Braves hitters but that he might just end the game as well with one swing from his own bat.

The drama was just ridiculous. The suspense was superb and the second guessing will be endless. This is what makes a tight playoff game in baseball quite possibly the most exciting event a viewer can watch (with the possble exception of a Stanley Cup Playoff Overtime game).

The entire contest was gripping and if I was the Cards, I'd be more than just a little worried. With two days off to recover their bullpen, and their starters Pettitte, Oswalt, and now Clemens looking fantastic, the outcome of this year's NLCS just might be the opposite to last year.

To wit, the Astros +175 to win the NL on offer at BetBug is not the worst bet I have ever seen. Especially if a certain 43 year old, he of the 341 career wins, keeps pitching the way he did late yesterday afternoon

Mack Brown beats OU...stop the presses

After 5 years of ignominious defeats, former Tar Heel Mack Brown finally won the Red River Shootout yesterday 45-12. An injured and basically no factor Adrian Peterson however, made this win rather less impressive than if Brown had beaten OU back in the days when it was one of the top teams. But a win is a win and this certainly propels the Longhorns to legitimate national title hopefuls. But with the Big 12 down this year and with VTech having to get through a tough FSU team, Texas could still find itself on the outside looking in at Pasedena in January. Assuming of course that Notre Dame doesn't do the unthinkable next weekend and beat USC at home. No doubt a legion of Longhorn fans are praying for just such an occurance.

It would be rather ironic though if it came to pass that Texas simply won the Rose Bowl a year too early. Since this year is the time it is the National Championship game, as opposed to last season.

BetBug offers odds on every college game each week and right through the bowl season. Texas making it to the Rose Bowl this season wouldn't exactly be a shock at this point, but considering it's coach, they certainly aren't odds on not to slip up between now and then either.

The Next 80 years

Well, so much for the World Champion Boston Red Sox. Their one year sojourn over to the good side has come to an abrupt end. But please, spare me the tears. They won it all a year ago. Their fans can no longer claim to be hard done by or even bring up Billy Buckner. They have given up the right to moan and complain.

There are however many teams left in these playoffs and many games left to bet. At www.BetBug.com, we'll have all the games and all the lines at great odds.

UFC 55

UFC 55 is here and if you’re not a fan of this sport you don’t know what you’re missing. Clearly the UFC is here to stay (after all there have been 55 of them) and unlike the first few, this sport has evolved over the years into a thrilling display of skills. In the beginning, watching the UFC was no different to watching Hoss and Bubba throw down at the local Piggily Wiggily. Well now we have a mix of fighting styles ranging from Jiu-Jitsu, Mui Tai, Wrestling, Boxing and Grappling. For those that say this sport is barbaric and pugilistic….yeah so what? That’s what makes it great!

While the card this Friday does not have many big names fighting, those are usually the cards that offer the most entertaining fights. And like all other sports, putting a couple of bucks down on your favorite fighter can only enhance your viewing pleasure (shhhh…don’t mention this to Stern or Tagliabue).

UFC 55 is available Friday at 10pm on PPV. Check out www.BetBug.com for odds on every match. Good luck and may the best bettor win.

Fedor

The End of the Dead Puck Era?

15 NHL games last night. 6.4 goals/game. During the first 15 games of the 03/04 season there were 4.9 goals/game.

Granted it's an incredibly small sample and we have many games to go, but based simply on the numbers we might, emphasized MIGHT, just be seeing the end of the era of low scoring, boring hockey brought on by the Devils win of the Cup during the strike shortened season of 1994.

Wouldn't it be ironic if, to combat the effects of one labour stoppage in 94, it took a second one, in 04.

Still none too keen on a shootout to settle ties, they really ought to just play another 5 minutes of four on four. That would certainly end at least another 3/4 of the games that are tied. Plus it's more exciting, plus it's not contrived. Plus...it actually might be quicker. Granted it was only the leagues's first attempt last night, but the time from the end of OT to just the beginning of the shootout seemed interminable.

But that is nit picking. Not many games will even make it to a shootout.

Finally, after a decade of decline, hockey fans all over have reason for optimism. What was always the fastest and most exciting sport on the planet now has a meaningful chance to recapture it's true essence.

God love the Lockout!

Drop The Puck!

In 20 years, when we look back, the lost season of 2004/05 will go down as the single most seminal event in hockey history. And not because it caused the ruin of the game, the exodus of the fan, or the downfall of the players. Last year's lockout will be looked upon as the most postive devolopement ever for the fastest game on ice.

Why you ask???

Simply, because without the lockout the impetus for rule changes and the opening up of the game would NEVER, EVER have taken place. We would have been stuck with the Dead Puck Era forver. The Tie Domi's of the world would have continued to have a place in the NHL. Now...ahh...not so much.

Goal scoring was up a full goal/game during preseason play, from two years ago. As the players adapt to the fact that they no longer have to worry about being hooked/held/obstructed/mobbed/etc, hockey, at all levels, will become ever more wide open, yet at the same time, good, clean violent body checking will also remain intergral to the game.

All the media influenced, non thinking lemmings who are proclaiming the lockout as the worst thing to ever happen to hockey are so short sighted as to not be believed.

And the best news of all about this forthcoming season - The Toronto Maple Leafs will begin their justified descent into, give or take, 29th place in the league. Old, slow, and decrepit, Toronto is going to miss the playoffs, and hopefully, finish dead last, thus allowing them a shot at Phil Kessel in the draft (who is the American version of Sydney Crosby). This is the only way the Leafs will ever contend for a Cup. To get young and fast. IE...like the team that is going to run over them tonight, your soon to be 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, (and oh does it pain me to say this) the Ottawa Senators.

Drop that Puck boys.

I actually do love the Baseball Playoffs

Contrary to some of my more recent posts, I do quite enjoy the Baseball playoffs. Games are, in general, lower scoring, played with much greater alacrity, and obviously, mean more.

And even though I despise the extra round of playoffs from an integrity of the sport standpoint, they do make for compelling viewing.

I still hate Bud and what he has done to the sport (wild card, games ending at ridiculously late hours, too many playoff teams, et all...) but the pure essence of the sport itself will always shine through for me, even with it's supposed caretakers trying their hardest to corrupt it.

There. That's about as positive as I get these days!

What a great time of year

October is by far the best month of the year in sports. Football, NFL and NCAA, is in full swing. Baseball starts it's World Series playoff run. Hockey (finally) is dropping the puck again, NBA camps are set to open, and for you equine fans, the Breeders Cup goes in a few weeks as well.

Of course it's the MLB playoffs that have everyone's attention. And so they should. No shortage of storylines either:

- Can Clemens lead his home town team to the promised land?
- Will we see a Yankees/Red Sox Pennant showdown for the third year in a row?
- Can one of the worst teams in recent years to qualify for the playoffs, San Diego, make any sort of run? (God I hope so)
- Will the Braves ever go all the way again?
- And finally, Can Larusa not manage the Cards OUT of the whole thing?

At least we will see better pitching. Which usually leads to quicker ball games. Of course such is not so in the playoffs, thanks to the addition of an extra minute between each inning for more commercials. And no doubt we'll see EDT games that don't start till 8:43pm and don't end till well past midnight.

Sigh.

How about late afternoon starting times, just two minutes between each inning, and no on screen graphics and tickers to distract and wreck my view of a once intimate and beautiful game.

Bloody Hell...here I was supposed to be all excited about the playoffs and now I've just managed to embitter my self, yet again.

Thanks Bud, you jackass.

The End of the Beginning

Well, it took 162 games to eliminate 22 teams. But over the course of the next 3 weeks, it will take just under two dozen games to eliminate 7 teams. Cleveland, who looked so good just a week ago, dropped the ball during their most important games, and as such find themselves on the outside looking in at the MLB playoffs. Boston and New York both are in and after all the hue and cry about how bad their respective pitching staffs are, wouldn't it be ironic if they met in the ALCS for the third consecutive year.

BetBug will offer every game during the playoffs and if you are looking for the best price possible, you'll most likely find it here. As for the best team possible, well in one man's humble opinion, late in October look for some divine intervention as the Angels beat the Cardinals in 7 to win the World Series.

Stanley Cup

Anyone else think they should just give Lord Stanley's mug to the Senators right now? The way the Spezza, Heatley, Bochenski line is playing and with Hasek in net, their post season collapses look to be a thing of the long distant past. They are just licking their lips to pay back the Leafs this year for all their past losses. I wouldn't want to be wearing a Blue and White jersey this season when it's Ottawa on the other side of that red line.