Bettor's best friend (BBF): Thursday's helpful wagering tips
Flu bug bites Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes are the latest college football team to get bitten by the flu bug.
The Hurricanes are reporting that three players ? most notably safety Jojo Nicolas ? are suffering from illness heading into Thursday's conference clash with Georgia Tech. There is speculation that the outbreak could be spreading through the Miami locker room.
Nicolas, the only starter of the three players listed, joins cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke (concussion) on the sidelines while defensive end Eric Moncur (groin) and receiver Aldarius Johnson (groin) are listed as probable and questionable for this week's ACC showdown.
Miami is a 5.5-point home favorite for Thursday's game.
Reds pitcher looking a little green
In more flu news, Cincinnati Reds starter Johnny Cueto could miss Thursday's scheduled start against the Florida Marlins due to illness. Cueto, who is 1-0 with a 2.76 ERA in his last three starts (all team wins), was allowed to skip a team photo and left the ballpark Wednesday.
"We'll back Cueto up if he's not feeling better," manager Dusty Baker told mlblogs.com. "We sent him home. I doubt that he'll be better tomorrow. He might be but he'll probably feel weak."
Left-hander Matt Maloney is likely to start in Cueto's spot. He's also not 100 percent after leaving his most recent start with a blister on his finger. Maloney is 0-4 with a 5.65 ERA in five starts this season.
No way Jorge
Following Wednesday's rumble in the Bronx, New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has been suspended three games and fined after throwing an elbow at Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jesse Carlson (who was suspended three games) that sparked a bench-clearing brawl in the eighth inning.
With Posada in the clubhouse, New York will split time behind home plate between Jose Molina and Francisco Cervelli. The veteran catcher was hitting .308 with 13 RBIs and four home runs this month. While his bat will be missed, Posada hasn't been the choice of the Yankees' pitching staff following communication issues earlier this season.
Busch feeling bushed
Despite his four wins, Kyle Busch failed to make the 12-driver cut for the Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship following a fifth-placed finish at last Saturday's Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond. Busch, who finished 13th in the standings before the cut, will take the track at New Hampshire this weekend priced at +900 but won't have much motivation for the remaining 10 races of 2009.
There is value, however, with Kyle's brother Kurt, who is at +2000 to win his second Cup title. With the younger Busch helping out his sibling, the No. 2 Dodge could have an edge over the other drivers in the Chase.
Don't count out Donovan
While the Philadelphia Eagles scramble to replace Donovan McNabb, head coach Andy Reid isn't ruling his star quarterback out for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.
Reid told reporters that McNabb was ?actually making some progress? during the team's practice Wednesday. McNabb did not participate in drills alongside backup Kevin Kolb and recently-signed veteran pivot Jeff Garcia.
"Don's been in this situation before," Reid told reporters. "So I would probably say if he can go, he can go. If he were [cleared] to play and felt okay, I think he could do that, go out there and play with very little practice and perform."
The Eagles opened as 3-point home favorites at the Las Vegas Hilton Sunday night. That has since been bet down to -1, where it stands at most books.
King of the Cassel
Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel is currently listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Oakland but was running better on his injured left knee at practice Wednesday.
Cassel did not participate in all of Kansas City's drills but according to head coach Todd Haley, Cassel ?moved around a little better than he did at the end of the week?.
The team's big offseason acquisition missed last week's opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Backup Brodie Croyle performed well, passing for 177 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-24 loss as 14-point underdogs.
"I haven't talked to the doctors. But to my eye, he was improved some from last week," Haley told reporters of Cassel's improvements.
Kansas City is a 3-point home favorite against the Raiders after the line moved from its opening stand of 4.5.
Big unit is back
Veteran pitcher Randy Johnson was activated by the San Francisco Giants Wednesday after missing the last two months with a torn rotator cuff. Johnson won't jump back into the Giants' stellar rotation but will be used out of the bullpen.
The lanky lefty is 8-6 with a 4.81 ERA in 17 starts this season. He bolsters San Francisco's bullpen, which ranks second in the majors with a collective ERA of 3.61 and 37 saves. The Giants are currently hosting the Colorado Rockies, who they trail by 2.5 games in the National League Wild Card race.
Leap of faith
?If they?re to accept one individual out of all the NFL teams to embrace if he got in the stands, I think I should be that one,? Ochocinco said. ?I?m no harm. It?s all fun. It?s all entertainment.?
- Chad Ochocinco, Bengals WR, talking about his plans to do the Lambeau Leap if he scores against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field this Sunday.
Flu bug bites Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes are the latest college football team to get bitten by the flu bug.
The Hurricanes are reporting that three players ? most notably safety Jojo Nicolas ? are suffering from illness heading into Thursday's conference clash with Georgia Tech. There is speculation that the outbreak could be spreading through the Miami locker room.
Nicolas, the only starter of the three players listed, joins cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke (concussion) on the sidelines while defensive end Eric Moncur (groin) and receiver Aldarius Johnson (groin) are listed as probable and questionable for this week's ACC showdown.
Miami is a 5.5-point home favorite for Thursday's game.
Reds pitcher looking a little green
In more flu news, Cincinnati Reds starter Johnny Cueto could miss Thursday's scheduled start against the Florida Marlins due to illness. Cueto, who is 1-0 with a 2.76 ERA in his last three starts (all team wins), was allowed to skip a team photo and left the ballpark Wednesday.
"We'll back Cueto up if he's not feeling better," manager Dusty Baker told mlblogs.com. "We sent him home. I doubt that he'll be better tomorrow. He might be but he'll probably feel weak."
Left-hander Matt Maloney is likely to start in Cueto's spot. He's also not 100 percent after leaving his most recent start with a blister on his finger. Maloney is 0-4 with a 5.65 ERA in five starts this season.
No way Jorge
Following Wednesday's rumble in the Bronx, New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has been suspended three games and fined after throwing an elbow at Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jesse Carlson (who was suspended three games) that sparked a bench-clearing brawl in the eighth inning.
With Posada in the clubhouse, New York will split time behind home plate between Jose Molina and Francisco Cervelli. The veteran catcher was hitting .308 with 13 RBIs and four home runs this month. While his bat will be missed, Posada hasn't been the choice of the Yankees' pitching staff following communication issues earlier this season.
Busch feeling bushed
Despite his four wins, Kyle Busch failed to make the 12-driver cut for the Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship following a fifth-placed finish at last Saturday's Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond. Busch, who finished 13th in the standings before the cut, will take the track at New Hampshire this weekend priced at +900 but won't have much motivation for the remaining 10 races of 2009.
There is value, however, with Kyle's brother Kurt, who is at +2000 to win his second Cup title. With the younger Busch helping out his sibling, the No. 2 Dodge could have an edge over the other drivers in the Chase.
Don't count out Donovan
While the Philadelphia Eagles scramble to replace Donovan McNabb, head coach Andy Reid isn't ruling his star quarterback out for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.
Reid told reporters that McNabb was ?actually making some progress? during the team's practice Wednesday. McNabb did not participate in drills alongside backup Kevin Kolb and recently-signed veteran pivot Jeff Garcia.
"Don's been in this situation before," Reid told reporters. "So I would probably say if he can go, he can go. If he were [cleared] to play and felt okay, I think he could do that, go out there and play with very little practice and perform."
The Eagles opened as 3-point home favorites at the Las Vegas Hilton Sunday night. That has since been bet down to -1, where it stands at most books.
King of the Cassel
Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel is currently listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Oakland but was running better on his injured left knee at practice Wednesday.
Cassel did not participate in all of Kansas City's drills but according to head coach Todd Haley, Cassel ?moved around a little better than he did at the end of the week?.
The team's big offseason acquisition missed last week's opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Backup Brodie Croyle performed well, passing for 177 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-24 loss as 14-point underdogs.
"I haven't talked to the doctors. But to my eye, he was improved some from last week," Haley told reporters of Cassel's improvements.
Kansas City is a 3-point home favorite against the Raiders after the line moved from its opening stand of 4.5.
Big unit is back
Veteran pitcher Randy Johnson was activated by the San Francisco Giants Wednesday after missing the last two months with a torn rotator cuff. Johnson won't jump back into the Giants' stellar rotation but will be used out of the bullpen.
The lanky lefty is 8-6 with a 4.81 ERA in 17 starts this season. He bolsters San Francisco's bullpen, which ranks second in the majors with a collective ERA of 3.61 and 37 saves. The Giants are currently hosting the Colorado Rockies, who they trail by 2.5 games in the National League Wild Card race.
Leap of faith
?If they?re to accept one individual out of all the NFL teams to embrace if he got in the stands, I think I should be that one,? Ochocinco said. ?I?m no harm. It?s all fun. It?s all entertainment.?
- Chad Ochocinco, Bengals WR, talking about his plans to do the Lambeau Leap if he scores against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field this Sunday.
