NFL Betting Trends - Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions Picks

Even a few weeks ago, Sunday’s game between Miami and Detroit looked like just a ho-hum affair, but both teams are surging into this matchup and, who knows, maybe it’s a Super Bowl preview. The Lions are 2.5-point NFL betting favorites.
Lions star wide receiver Calvin Johnson said he will play Sunday against the Dolphins after missing the last three games with an ankle injury. recovering from an ankle injury. It was in Week 3 when Johnson initially suffered his high right ankle sprain against the Green Bay Packers. He played on a limited basis the next two weeks before aggravating the injury in Week 5 against Buffalo. Running back Reggie Bush also will return from injury and start Sunday. The Lions come off a bye week and have staged huge come-from-behind wins in their past two games. The first-place Lions (6-2), who own a one-game lead over Green Bay atop the NFC North, won all three games in Johnson’s absence.
Johnson and Bush will match up with a familiar face Sunday — ex-teammate Louis Delmas. After being cut by the Lions in February, Delmas has started seven of eight games for Miami and was named AFC defensive player of the week after recording two tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception in Week 7 against Chicago.
Miami (5-3) has won three straight games, all by at least 13 points. The Fins crushed San Diego 37-0 last week. Ryan Tannehill threw for 288 yards and three scores, and Miami forced four turnovers. It was the Dolphins’ largest shutout victory since October 11, 1987 (42-0 vs. Kansas City). The Dolphins played with an emotional edge and earned their most impressive win of the season for Coach Joe Philbin, whose father passed a few days before the game.
The Dolphins are averaging 30.6 points in their past five games. They are fifth in the NFL in scoring over that stretch. The Lions are allowing 15.8 points a game — the only team in the NFL giving up fewer than 17 points a game.
DOLPHINS NOTES: In past 5, QB RYAN TANNEHILL has 1,283 pass yards & 10 TDs vs. 4 INTs for 104.1 rating. Club is 15-1 (.938) when Tannehill has 90+ rating. Aims for 5th in row with run of 20+ yards…In past 6, RB LAMAR MILLER has 531 scrimmage yards (413 rush, 118 rec.) & 5 rush TDs. Has rush TD in 5 of past 6…WR MIKE WALLACE had TD catch in only career meeting (10/11/09 with Pit.). Aims for 4th in row with TD vs. NFC. WR BRIAN HARTLINE (4,034) had 50 rec. yards last week & became 7th player in club history to reach 4,000 career. Last week, TE CHARLES CLAY led team with 65 yards on 5 catches with TD…In past 4, DE CAMERON WAKE has 4.5 sacks, FF & FR. Has 11 sacks, 2 FF & FR in past 9 vs. NFC. Has 58 career sacks & needs 2 to surpass JEFF CROSS (59.5) for 2nd-most in club history. S LOUIS DELMAS played 5 seasons in Detroit (2009-13) & posted 328 tackles, 6 INTs & 5 sacks. CB BRENT GRIMES has 3 INTs in past 2, incl. 2 vs. SD.
LIONS NOTES: QB MATTHEW STAFFORD led 21-point comeback win in Week 8. Is 1 of 3 QBs since 1966 to start 3 games in which team overcame 21+ point deficit to win. Since 2011, ranks 2nd in NFL with 16,871 pass yards. Has 120 pass TDs, most in team history…RB REGGIE BUSH played 2 seasons in Mia. (2011-12), rushing for 2,072 yards (1,036 per season) with 12 TDs & catching 78 passes for 588 yards with 3 TDs. RB THEO RIDDICK aims for 3rd in row with rec. TD. RB JOIQUE BELL has rush TD in 2 of past 3…WR CALVIN JOHNSON has 13 rec. TDs in past 14 vs. AFC. Has 84 catches for 1,521 yards (117 per game) & 11 TDs in past 13 vs. AFC. In past 16 at home, has 109 catches for 1,926 yards (120.4 per game) & 10 TDs. Since 2011, leads NFL with 5,485 rec. yards & 107.5 rec. yards per game. In past 5, WR GOLDEN TATE has 39 catches for 599 yards (119.8 per game) & 3 TDs, incl. 4 100-yard games. Has 15 catches for 250 yards (125 per game) & TD in past 2 vs. AFC…LB DE ANDRE LEVY had 30-yard INT-TD in last meeting. Leads team with 75 tackles. Has 7 INTs since 2013, most by LB. DT NDAMUKONG SUH had sack & FF in last meeting. In past 3, DE EZEKIEL ANSAH has 3.5 sacks & 2 FFs. CB CASSIUS VAUGHN had 45-yard INT in Week 8.
NFL betting trends: Dolphins are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in November. Dolphins are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Dolphins are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game. Dolphins are 29-11 ATS in their last 40 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Lions are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games. Lions are 6-15-1 ATS in their last 22 games in November. Lions are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win. Lions are 3-12-2 ATS in their last 17 games in Week 10.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets Free Picks May 28th

The Mets wrap up their 9-game homestand on Wednesday afternoon from the Pirates.  Charlie Morton got his first win of the growing season for Pittsburgh in his last outing.  Morton is 0-3 with a 4.62 ERA in four starts away from home this season.  He's zero wins in five career starts from the Mets.  Lucas Duda (3-7), David Wright (3-10) and Ruben Tejada (4-5) have good numbers versus Morton.  The Mets are hitting the ball well today as they've seven hits or more in 11 straight games. 

Bartolo Colon loves pitching in the home for New York.  He features a 3.15 ERA in three home starts for the Mets while striking out 18 and walking only one.  Colon beat the Pirates last year at their place after allowing 1 run and seven hits in seven innings of work.  Pittsburgh is merely 8-12 in day games while hitting .219 as a team and scoring just 2.4 runs per game.  Free Sports Picks We'll back New York in this game on Wednesday afternoon.

New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals Free Picks May 28th

The Yankees won the opener with this series on Monday but these were shutout yesterday behind an elegant performance from Lance Lynn who went the distance while allowing just five hits. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for New York and it turns to Hiroki Kuroda to test and take the series. Kuroda has not been at his best this season as he has tossed just five quality outings in 10 starts but his best work has come on the road where he has allowed three earned runs or less in all starts on the highway.

 

He faced the Cardinals five time while with the Dodgers and he was great at Busch Stadium as he posted a 2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in three starts, all being quality efforts. The Cardinals counter with Shelby Miller who includes a solid 3.18 ERA but has labored for the absolute most part.

 

Only four of his 10 outings have already been quality starts and his 1.39 WHIP is a big concern. In his last start, he allowed four runs in five innings from the Reds which snapped a five-game winning streak over his previous five games. He has been excellent in the home but look for the Yankees to bounce back making use of their offense because they are 10-3 inside their last 13 games after scoring two runs or less inside their previous game. Free Sports Picks Play (929) New York Yankees

Triple Crown betting: Filly Ria Antonia running in Preakness Stakes?

While all the focus on the May 17 Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown Betting , is on horse racing odds-on favorite California Chrome, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, there could be a female to crash the usually all-male party.

 

That would be Ria Antonia, who plans to take a shot at the boys May 17 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Majority owner Ron Paolucci confirmed the news after Ria Antonia galloped Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Tom Amoss, not Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who trained her leading up to the Oaks.
If the daughter of Rockport Harbor is shipped to Pimlico Race Course to run in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown on May 17, she will be saddled for the first time by Amoss. Ron Paolucci’s Loooch Racing Stable and Christopher T. Dunn have transferred their 3-year-old filly from Baffert to Amoss after her distant sixth-place finish behind Untapable in the Kentucky Oaks the day before the Kentucky Derby.

 

Should Ria Antonia take on the boys, she would attempt to become the sixth filly to capture the Preakness. Fillies to win the Preakness include Rachel Alexandra (2009), Nellie Morse (1924), Rhine Maiden (1915), Whimsical (1906) and Flocarline (1903).

 

Then trained by Jeremiah Englehart, Ria Antonia finished second by a nose in last November’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita but was declared the winner upon the disqualification of She’s a Tiger for interference in the stretch. She finished fourth in the Fair Grounds’ Grade III Rachel Alexandra won by Kentucky Oaks winner Untapable and was transferred to Baffert to race in California. Ria Antonia was second as the favorite on horse racing odds in the Santa Anita Oaks but was beaten almost 16 lengths by Untapable in the Kentucky Oaks.

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Finding a spot for Schoop Baltimore Orioles

A pleasant surprise for the Baltimore Orioles has been rookie infielder Jonathan Schoop, whose four-hit game against the Red Sox on Friday night raised his season average to .304.

Eduardo A Encina of the Baltimore Sun says he is starting to get questions from fans as to what the Orioles are going to do at third base when Manny Machado returns from the disabled list. It's likely Machado will go on a rehab assignment at some point next week, and the hope is he will be back by early May.

Finding a spot for Schoop is a good problem to have. A lot can happen between now and then, but Schoop has made a serious case to keep a roster spot even when Machado returns. The question will be whether the Orioles will be content for Schoop to get limited at-bats as a backup infielder rather than have him play every day at Triple-A Norfolk.

Schoop also has played second base in the minors, but the Orioles have received solid production this season at that position from Stephen Lombardozzi (.308 BA).

Baltimore Orioles Johan Santana ahead of schedule?

When the Baltimore Orioles signed Johan Santana to a minor league deal in early March, it was hoped that he would be able to help the big league club sometime in June. Could the two-time Cy Young Award winner be ahead of schedule?

Peter Gammons tweets Saturday that Santana’s velocity is up to 85 miles per hour and “is not far away.” Gammons says Santana is motivated to break the record for most wins by a Venezuelan pitcher, currently held by Freddy Garcia with 156. Santana has a career mark of 139-78.

Santana is currently throwing live batting practice as he continues to progress from his second shoulder surgery. According to an MLB.com report earlier this week, Santana “is on a five-day rotation-esque progression.”

It remains to be seen how the Orioles would work Santana into a rotation where Bud Norris (3.75 ERA) is currently at the back end.

Atlanta Braves' Finding a fit for Gavin Floyd

The Atlanta Braves' rotation appeared to be in shambles a few short weeks ago when the club learned Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy would be lost for the season.

Enter journeyman Aaron Harang, who pitched seven no-hit innings against the Mets on Friday night to lower is earned run average to a miniscule 0.70 in four starts. Once desperate for healthy arms, the Braves may soon have to decide which effective starter gets bumped once Mike Minor and Gavin Floyd are ready to return.

Minor, who began the year on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, was scheduled to start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday night, but the game was postponed by rain. There is a chance he could join Atlanta's rotation next week, reports MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.

Floyd, who is attempting to return from Tommy John surgery, allowed four earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in a rehab start for Double-A Mississippi on Friday against Huntsville. Given Floyd has yet to complete five innings, he could be a few weeks away.

Following the last-in, first-out philosophy, the leading candidate to be bumped is David Hale, who has a 1.43 WHIP in four major league starts. Hale also could be kept as a reliever.

Finding a fit for Floyd, however, will be more difficult given Harang’s dazzling start. But some regression to the mean seems inevitable given Harang did have a 5.40 ERA last season. Remember, Paul Maholm got off to a similar start for the Braves last season (0.00 ERA in first three starts) before the bottom fell out.

At the very least, Harang’s performance takes away any temptation to rush Floyd back.

Where Fox would fit in Miami

Jason Walker of ESPN.com reports this morning that free agent offensive tackle Jason Fox is visiting Miami this week, according to a league source. What type of role would the four-year pro have if he decides to sign with the Dolphins? Lets have a look.

 

Fox is a career backup who started only three games in his four seasons in Detroit, but all of those came last season. With Branden Albert signed to play left tackle and the addition of Shelley Smith at guard, Fox would join the competition at right tackle.

 

Walker adds of Fox, a fourth-round pick in 2010: "He is not the long-term answer for the Dolphins. But they need bodies at right tackle, where they only have the versatile Nate Garner and maybe 2013 third-round pick Dallas Thomas on the roster."

 

Kansas City could be the main competition the Dolphins face here; Fox visited the Chiefs on Monday, according to ProFootballTalk.com.

Will New Orleans go WR in Rd. 1?

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are one team that could benefit from the highly rated crop of receivers in the 2014 NFL draft, and they may look to address that as early as the first round.

 

The problem with having a pick late in the first round this year isn't that there is a shortage of options -- it's choosing the right receiver from the talented group that may present the biggest challenge.

 

"Where the Saints are picking at No. 27, LSU's Odell Beckham Jr., Oregon State's Brandin Cooks and USC's Marqise Lee could be awfully attractive options if they fall that far," Mike Triplett of ESPN.com wrote on Tuesday. "They all have that dynamic speed element. And as a bonus, all three could potentially serve as return men, as well -- another top need for the Saints.

Jets in Chris Johnson's future?

If Chris Johnson is released by Tennessee this week, and after several failed trade attempts that has become a likely scenario, the New York Jets may be his strongest suitor.

 

At least, that's what Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com suggests.

 

"Still expecting Chris Johnson's release to come this week. When it does, look for the Jets to pounce on the RB," La Canfora tweets this morning: "Would be a strong fit."

 

Earlier this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com speculated on Twitter that the reason the Jets were reluctant to dive into the DeSean Jackson derby might have been because they were allotting money for Johnson.

 

Adding Johnson would make a lot of sense; the home run threat he provides would serve as an ideal complement to the Jets' primary back, Chris Ivory, a bruising and powerful runner who earns his money running between the tackles.

No panic yet for Jays and Reyes

As ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports, "oft-injured Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes is back on the disabled list after reinjuring his left hamstring in the first inning of his team's 9-2 Opening Day loss Monday to Tampa Bay."

 

An MRI taken on Tuesday revealed that the shortstop had mild inflammation, which was news that pleased Reyes. "It is a relief," Reyes said. "That's good news. Just some inflammation there, no damage at all. Just some rest and I should be fine." However, as Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com points out, Reyes had a similar diagnosis back in 2011, and he ended up missing 29 games over two separate trips to the disabled list as a result.

 

"Toronto has decided to go with infielder Jonathan Diaz at short during Reyes' absence," Chisholm writes. "Diaz has the reputation of being an elite defender and should help save some runs for the staff, but there's not a lot of upside with his bat. He's a career .230 hitter in the minor leagues and the Blue Jays' hope is that he'll be able to bridge the gap until Reyes returns."

 

That said, if two weeks comes and goes and Reyes is not ready to roll, perhaps the Blue Jays will turn to the Seattle Mariners and try to pry Nick Franklin from their clutches. If Brad Miller continues his hot start for the Mariners -- the shortstop hit two home runs on Tuesday -- Seattle shouldn't have a problem with letting the demoted Franklin go.

NFL odds: Michael Vick will get chance to win Jets starting job

The New York Jets didn’t sign free agent Michael Vick to a one-year deal simply to be a mentor to Geno Smith — New York expects Vick and Smith to compete for the starting job.

 

For the second straight year, the Jets will have a full-blown quarterback competition on their hands at training camp. Last year Smith essentially won by default when the projected starter, Mark Sanchez, was injured in the preseason.. He was recently cut.

 

“I would say, ‘yes,’” Coach Rex Ryan said of Vick having a chance to be the starter for the season opener. “We want that competition. We’ll let it all play out.”

 

Smith appears to be the frontrunner. Ryan alluded to the last year’s second-round draft choice getting the first crack at running with the first team in organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp later this spring. Smith threw 12 touchdown passes and 21 interceptions as a rookie last season. Vick lost his starting job in Philadelphia to Nick Foles when he was unable to stay on the field because of injuries.

 

Ryan acknowledged that Vick, even at age 33, can still do so much athletically that most quarterbacks can’t do.

 

“He’s an unusual guy. He was unusual when he came out of the league because of how athletic he was but I think he’s definitely still … you see all that athleticism he has,” Ryan said. “He can still run, moves well in the pocket, he’s more accurate when throwing from the pocket than he used to be when he came into the league.”

 

If Vick doesn’t win the job in training camp, he’ll probably get a chance at some point, either by injury or ineffectiveness. If Vick becomes the Week 1 starter, let’s be honest, he probably won’t last the season, considering his durability issues. Chances are, the Jets will need both quarterbacks.

 

The Jets’ offense could be much better this year. The team already has added former Broncos receiver Eric Decker and reportedly is in talks with the Eagles for star receiver DeSean Jackson. There is also talk the Jets are looking at former Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

 

Here is the full list of the Jets’ 2014 opponents. Here is the full list of opponents. The schedule will be announced at a later date.

 

HOME: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Denver, Oakland, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh

 

AWAY: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Kansas City, San Diego, Green Bay, Minnesota, Tennessee

MLB betting: Indians to open season without Michael Bourn

The Cleveland Indians will open the 2014 season on March 31 in Oakland in a matchup of American League playoff teams from a year ago and the Tribe won’t have outfielder Michael Bourn for at least the first week or two of the campaign.

 

Bourn, who had injury problems last season after signing as a free agent, will open the regular season MLB Picks on the DL due to a hamstring injury. He was only expected to miss about a week, but will apparently need more time to get healthy and ready for game action.

 

“I’d rather have my leg healthy and be ready to play for the long haul,” Bourn said, “than try to make it for Opening Day just because.”

 

Bourn, who tweaked his hamstring in a game against the Giants on March 16, has progressed only to running forward on the grass agility field at Cleveland’s complex in Arizona. The center fielder said he might test his leg on the bases as early as Tuesday but that it was subject to change. Bourn has been able to hit and throw, but the running program has been conservative given the importance of speed to his overall game. Because of the timing of the DL stint, Antonetti said that Bourn would miss at least the first four games of the season, meaning April 5 would represent the earliest possible return date.

 

After signing a four-year, $48 million deal last spring with the Indians, Bourn hit .263/.316/.360 (93 OPS+) with 21 doubles, six triples, six homers, 50 RBI, 75 runs and 23 stolen bases. It wasn’t up to what he did as an All-Star in Atlanta in 2012. With Bourn sidelined, Michael Brantley figures to take over in center field with Ryan Raburn playing left.

 

The Indians will face off against Oakland’s Sonny Gray in the opener. He’s the ninth straight different pitcher to get the Opening Day call for the A’s. Gray was projected as the No. 2 in the rotation before No. 1 Jarrod Parker was lost to season-ending Tommy John surgery. Gray has never faced Cleveland. He was 5-3 with a 2.67 last year as a late season call-up. Bourn was 2-for-9 with a homer against the A’s in 2013.

NFL Cleveland Will Browns keep Alex Mack?

The Cleveland Browns slapped center Alex Mack with a $10 million transition tag with the belief that, since they have plenty of cap space, they would be able to match any offer sheet another team might give him. So far, it seems their thinking has been spot on, because we've heard zero buzz about any teams making a pitch for Mack.

 

However, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes that Mack's agents may be able to manufacture an offer sheet that could allow Mack to hit the free-agent market next offseason.

 

"For example, Mack could be signed to an offer sheet that pays him $10 or more for 2014, with an enormous option bonus or roster bonus due on the first day of the 2015 league year. If the Browns were to match the deal, they’d have to cut Mack before, for example, $50 million is owed in March of next year," he wrote.

 

"The offer sheet also could consist of a one-year deal with a commitment to not use the franchise or transition tag in 2015. This would ensure that Mack hits the open market next year."

 

The catch with that plan would be convincing another team it's worth the effort to make such an offer.

 

One way or another, Mack is going to get overpaid, and Browns reporter Pat McManamon believes the Browns can't afford to let him go:

Pirates shopping Tabata?

With top outfield prospect Gregory Polanco on the horizon, the Pittsburgh Pirates are shopping Jose Tabata, tweets Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune Review.

 

Tabata posted a solid .282/.342/.429 slash line for the Pirates last season and is just 25, but any deal will hinge on how many teams will take on the three years and $12.25 million left on his contract. The Bucs are believed to be looking for a first base upgrade over Gaby Sanchez and could use Tabata as a trade chip.

 

Assuming Polanco needs at least a few more months of minor league seasoning, the Pirates could open the season with Travis Snider in right field if a deal were to come together quickly.

Philadelphia Phillies - Possible destinations for Rollins

Is the spring training feud between Jimmy Rollins and Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg nearing a tipping point?

 

Rollins was benched on three successive days last week by Sandberg, who has downplayed any talk of a rift. But ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney reports Tuesday that “there is strong sentiment within the organization that the Phillies would be better off trading him and establishing a new tone with a new shortstop.”

 

Completing a deal for Rollins is another matter, even though there is a team in Detroit that needs to fill a hole at shortstop following an injury to Jose Iglesias. But as a veteran of 10 years in the major leagues and five with the same club, Rollins has full no-trade rights, and he tells Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com that he has no intention of waiving those rights.

 

The New York Mets, currently left with the light-hitting Ruben Tejada as their shortstop, also are looking for an upgrade.

 

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News says he asked Yankee people if Rollins might be a fit in the Bronx. "The impression I’ve gotten is that is would just be too awkward to have a name that big, while Derek Jeter is still around," Martino writes.

 

At this point, it looks like Rollins isn’t going anywhere, but maybe the plot turns if the feud continues to simmer. Extra money has a way of getting some players to waive those no-trade rights.

 

If Rollins is indeed shopped, that can’t be good news for free agent Stephen Drew, whose price could drop further with another shortstop available.

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Position battle: Orioles second base

The oft-injured Brian Roberts, who for years the Baltimore Orioles would turn to at the second base position when healthy, is no longer with the team; he's with the New York Yankees trying to fill Robinson Cano's shoes. While the footprint Roberts leaves behind in Baltimore is much smaller than Cano's, there's still a need for someone to step up and claim the everyday role.

 

Here are the candidates:

 

Ryan Flaherty, age 27, bats left
Jemile Weeks, age 27, bats both
Jonathan Schoop, age 22, bats right

 

Flaherty: He hasn't done much with his bat thus far in his big league career, having hit just .221 in 162 games over the past two seasons. However, his versatility -- he's already played seven different positions with the Orioles -- is sure to keep him on the roster in some capacity.

 

Weeks: Came to the team from Oakland in the Jim Johnson trade. After a promising rookie campaign in 2011 (.303 average, 22 steals), poor play and injuries the past two seasons made him expendable to the Athletics.

 

Schoop: Started four times in a September cup of coffee in 2013, and had two multi-hit games. The prospect missed several months of action due to a fractured back suffered in May, and nobody would blame Baltimore if they decided to send him back to the minors to get a little more seasoning.

 

Latest update: According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, "Schoop's inclusion in the second base competition initially seemed to be a simple courtesy to the organization's top position player; it seemed inevitable that he'd begin the regular season at Triple-A Norfolk, where he played just 70 games last year because of a stress fracture in his lower back that cost him more than two months of the season... But manager Buck Showalter maintains that Schoop has a chance to break camp with the major league club, given how well he has played so far."

 

Current leader: Schoop. It would have been Flaherty, but as Connolly also reports, while Manny Machado is not yet not ruling out being ready for Opening Day, the third baseman says he's neither optimistic or discouraged. He's "just dealing with a tightness in knee that was inevitable." It's looking more and more like Flaherty will be needed at third base, freeing up Schoop to start in the Orioles infield, at least until Machado returns. 

 

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Position battle: Diamondbacks shortstop

Back in February,  Buster Olney said that the Arizona Diamondbacks have "a good ol' fashioned showdown" on their hands this spring for their starting shortstop job, and whoever wins "bears a lot of responsibility, considering how the D-Backs have loaded up and taken their payroll over $100 million." It's now mid-March, and the winner of that competition may finally be in sight.

The candidates:

Didi Gregorius, age 23, bats left
Chris Owings, age 22, bats right

Gregorius: A strong defensive shortstop, but over the course of starting 97 games for Arizona last year, his batting average dropped steadily with each passing month.

Owings: Played in 20 games for the Diamondbacks after a September call-up, hitting .291 in 55 at-bats. Clearly the better offensive option at shortstop, he hit .330 for Triple-A Reno prior to the promotion.

Latest update: According to ESPN.com's Jim Bowden, "I'm hearing that Owings will be the everyday shortstop. It hasn't been announced yet, but word is they are going to start him over Gregorius because of his bat. Gregorius should be a good trade piece for them at some point this summer because I expect Owings will be a Rookie of the Year candidate."

Current leader: Seems like it's clearly Owings, who has outhit Gregorius .279 to .222 so far this spring. As for Gregorius, the New York Mets have been rumored to be "continuing to monitor" this Diamondbacks competition and, according to John Harper of the New York Daily News, "could jump in" before the end of spring training.

 

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Will Marcus Paige consider going pro?

North Carolina sophomore Marcus Paige hasn't really been in the 2014 NBA draft conversation to this point, but after a big year at North Carolina, the 6-foot point guard could have a tough decision to make after the season. Would he leave Chapel Hill for the NBA?

Judging by where Paige currently stands on Chad Ford's Big Board -- No. 69 overall and No. 14 among point guards -- the answer is probably no.

But by no means is it a sure thing that he'd pass on the draft for a third year at UNC. Just last year, in fact, we saw Shane Larkin, another 6-foot point guard, leave Miami after a huge sophomore season. Larkin went from scoring 7.4 points per game as a freshman to 14.5 as a sophomore. Paige, meanwhile, has gone from 8.2 PPG to 16.9, and done so at one of the biggest basketball schools in the land.

On Wednesday, ESPN Insider Paul Biancardi ranked Paige as college basketball's most improved player, which may be even more reason to believe the Iowa native could follow in the footsteps of another Iowan, Harrison Barnes, and leave UNC after two years for the bright lights and big dollars of the NBA.

I reached out to our own Jeff Goodman today for his take, given Paige's hot play and possible rising stock, and here's what he had to say: "I think Paige will stay another year and could be a guy who winds up moving into the equation for a late first-round pick a year from now. The hard thing is he had to play off the ball the majority of the time earlier this season, and he may have the same issue next season when Joel Berry arrives."

NBA News More extended minutes for Brand

On Tuesday, Atlanta ruled out Paul Millsap (knee) and Pero Antic (ankle) for yesterday's game against Chicago as well as tonight's contest at Boston, but they held out some hope that Gustavo Ayon (shoulder) may be able to play against the Celtics. On Wednesday, Ayon was ruled out, putting the Hawks' frontcourt in a bad spot for at least one more game.

Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer elected to use Elton Brand and DeMarre Carroll as his two starting big men, and it'll be interesting to see if that's the case again tonight.

Even if Brand and Carroll remain the starters, with Mike Scott serving as the lone big man option off the bench, Budenholzer may have to find a way to reduce Brand's workload. The 34-year-old eclipsed 42 minutes in each of the last two games, and probably can't keep that up for too much longer without the strong likelihood of joining Millsap, Antic and Ayon on the injury list.

Look for more minutes tonight from Carroll and Scott, and possibly the NBA debut of 2013 second-round pick Mike Muscala -- a skilled 6-foot-11 big man who can flat-out shoot -- to help preserve Brand.

Could Pierre Thomas be cut by Saints

While New Orleans Saints management prepares itself for the Jimmy Graham situation, free agency and the draft, there are other personnel matters on the table, including the team's considerable depth at the running position. With Darren Sproles expected to remain a big part of the Saints' backfield and younger backs Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson ready to take on an increased role, would the team release its leader rusher in 2013, Pierre Thomas, this offseason?

With Thomas preparing to enter the final year of his contract, it's at least a possibility for the team. According to The Times Picayune's Larry Holder, the Saints reached out to Thomas' agent Tuesday to discuss the 29-year-old back's future with the Saints. The agent did not reveal the specifics of that phone call.

Thomas will count $2.9 million against the salary cap in 2014, and the Saints would save all of it should he be released. That said, the conversation also could be about an extension that could soften the financial blow to the Saints in 2014.

Thomas rushed 147 times for 549 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and three touchdowns in 2013. His 77 receptions were tops among running backs in the NFL, and he added three more touchdowns through the air.

Though it's definitely a possibility, it would be a fairly surprising move to see Thomas out in New Orleans. ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett thinks Thomas' job with the team is safe for now:

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NCAA basketball odds: No. 23 SMU at Rutgers

SMU will play its first game as a ranked team since 1984-85 on Thursday night when the surging Mustangs of coach Larry Brown visit Rutgers. SMU is a 7-point WagerWeb favorite.

 

Rutgers enters off a 79-69 win at South Florida on Saturday. Kadeem Jack scored a career-high 31 points. Myles Mack added 15 points and Wally Judge had 10 to help Rutgers (10-14, 4-7 American Athletic Conference) win for the first time in eight road games. Judge blocked two shots and had eight rebounds for the Scarlet Knights, who outrebounded the Bulls 37-30. Jack hit all 13 of his free-throw attempts and was 9 of 14 from the field. Rutgers made 21 of 26 free throws for 80.8 percent.

 

SMU had a very impressive 76-55 win against No. 7 Cincinnati on Saturday. Nick Russell had 15 points to go with a couple of big steals as SMU ended the Bearcats’ 15-game winning streak. It was the Mustangs’ third win over a Top 25 team in seven games since moving back into renovated Moody Coliseum on campus five weeks ago. Before their recent surge, the Mustangs (19-5, 8-3 American Athletic Conference) hadn’t defeated a ranked opponent anywhere since December 2003. They hadn’t had multiple wins against Top 25 teams in the same season since 1984-85, the last time SMU appeared in the poll. They reached as high as No. 2 that season.

 

SMU is second in the nation in field-goal percentage defense (1st American), holding opponents to 36.7 percent from the field. The Mustang defense is also holding opponents to 61.0 points per game, good for 17th in the NCAA (2nd American). SMU has held 24 of its last 33 (18 of 24 this year) opponents under 40% shooting. On the glass, the Mustangs have outrebounded 20 of 24 opponents this season.

 

On offense, the Mustangs are leading the conference in field goal percentage, shooting at a 49.6-percent clip in 2013-14 (7th NCAA). The Mustangs are also shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc, good for third in the conference. SMU is second in the league in assists per game at 15.5 (32nd NCAA), and is averaging 72.8 points per game. Additionally, the Mustangs have outscored 23 of 24 opponents in the paint by an average of 35.8-20.4.

 

On Jan. 21, SMU beat visiting Rutgers 70-56. Markus Kennedy scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead SMU. The Scarlet Knights missed 15 of their first 16 shots and went more than nine minutes without a field goal during the first half. Rutgers finished shooting 32.7 percent from the field.

 

WagerWeb trends: Mustangs are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Mustangs are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 vs. American Athletic Conference. Mustangs are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS win. Mustangs are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. win. Scarlet Knights are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games. Scarlet Knights are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Scarlet Knights are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.

NBA basketball odds: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers

The first half of the NBA season comes to a close on Thursday night in the TNT nightcap when the Oklahoma City Thunder look to hand the Los Angeles Lakers their franchise-record seventh straight home loss. OKC is a 12-point favorite to do so on WagerWeb.

 

Oklahoma City has won 14 of its past 16 games to take control of the Western Conference’s top seed. It won 98-95 at Portland on Tuesday. Kevin Durant had 36 points and 10 rebounds as the Thunder evened the series against the Blazers 2-2 in their final regular-season meeting this year. Jeremy Lamb had 19 points, including a key 3-pointer with 1:38 left for the Western Conference-leading Thunder.

 

Durant and Serge Ibaka entered the game as the highest-scoring duo in the NBA over LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard but Durant didn’t even need Ibaka to outscore the Blazers duo by himself Tuesday. The two Blazers combined for 28 points. In the last 16 games, Ibaka is averaging 17.9 points on 61.1% shooting to go along with 8.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. Ibaka has scored 20+ points in six of his last 11 outings. Already this season, Ibaka has recorded 19 double-doubles (posted 15 double-doubles from all of last season).

 

The Lakers lost their second straight game Tuesday, 96-79 to Utah. Chris Kaman had 25 points and 14 boards for the Lakers, who have dropped nine of 11 overall and 21 of 26 since Dec. 21. The loss to Utah put Los Angeles in 14th place in the Western Conference, a half-game behind the Jazz and a game ahead of last-place Sacramento.

 

The Lakers’ top six scorers — Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Jordan Farmar, Nick Young, Jodie Meeks and Xavier Henry — are still on the shelf with injuries. Steve Nash played only 17 minutes and had to exit early for the second straight game because of nerve-root irritation in his left leg. Steve Blake and Kendall Marshall — L.A.’s backcourt to start the second half once Nash went out — combined to shoot 5-for-24. Nash is doubtful to play in this one.

 

L.A. trotted out its 26th starting lineup this season against a team that had won only 17 of its first 50 games, and then proceeded to blow a 15-point lead en route to its 34th defeat of the season. It also was the Lakers’ sixth straight loss at home, which ties a franchise record.

 

This is the second meeting of the season between the Lakers and Thunder. On Dec. 13 at home, the Thunder rolled 122-97. Durant had 31 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while currently injured Russell Westbrook added 19 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. Kobe had 13 assists but just four points and seven turnovers. The Thunder finished with a season-high 34 assists and outrebounded the Lakers 59-41.

 

The Lakers are 15-8 in their last 23 regular season games against Oklahoma City. At home, the Lakers have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games against the Thunder. L.A. is 17-11 all-time against Oklahoma City at Staples Center.

 

WagerWeb trends: Thunder are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. Western Conference. Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Thunder are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games. Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games. Favorite is 5-2-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.

Duke/UNC Betting Analysis

The Tobacco Road Rivalry will be renewed tonight as the 8th-ranked Duke Blue Devils (19-5, 8-3 ACC) take the short trip to Chapel Hill to face off against the unranked North Carolina Tar Heels (16-7, 6-4 ACC). While Duke is currently listed as a 2-seed in Joe Lunardi’s most recent bracketology, North Carolina still has work to do and is currently listed as an 8-seed.

 

According to our College Basketball betting trends, the Blue Devils, led by their freshman superstar Jabari Parker, opened as 3-point favorites at CRIS. However, despite receiving 61% of spread bets the line has dropped to Duke -2 across the sports betting marketplace. This reverse line movement is an excellent sharp money indicator and suggests that wise guys and betting syndicates have been pounding the host Tar Heels.

 

The line graph below, which is included in all of our odds memberships, shows the line movement at CRIS since this game opened Tuesday afternoon.

 

Although North Carolina has won five straight games, they have struggled recently at home against Duke. The Tar Heels have lost four of their past five home games against the Devils and have failed to cover the spread in six of their past seven. The chart below, which is available on our matchups page, displays the head-to-head details from the last ten North Carolina vs. Duke meetings.

Anderson Varejao to return to Lineup for Kings?

We wrote last week that any injury to Anderson Varejao, no matter how small, shouldn't be taken lightly. Since then, the 31-year-old center has sat out three games in a row with a knee contusion.

When can we expect the Cavaliers' big man back out on the court? Here's the latest.

Varejao is officially a game-time decision for Monday's matchup against Dallas, but after a week off the chances of him playing are probably a little better each day.

Varejao tells The Plain Dealer that the toughest aspect is playing through the pain of the knee injury, and playing with a knee brace that he'll wear once he returns.

If Varejao misses the game against the Mavericks, the Cavs next game is at home on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rangers Beat down Devils At Yankee Stadium

In what might prove to be a meteorological preview of next weekend’s Super Bowl, the New York Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils 7-3 in an outdoor contest at Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 50,105 fans braved the 25-degree temperature and unexpected flurries to witness the latest installment of the NHL Stadium Series. With the forecast officially on the radar, the super bowl 2014 betting odds are starting to tighten.

 

After the sun and its blinding glare delayed the puck from dropping at noon as originally scheduled, the Devils got out of the gate with a convincing 3-1 lead in the first. Elias bested Lundqvist to open the scoring at the 5:36 mark off a Ryane Clowe pass direct from the blue line. Moore evened the score three and a half minutes later courtesy of a loose puck rebound. The Devils quickly regained their lead when Elias scored again on an early power play goal before Zajac got in on the action with 3:53 remaining.

 

The Rangers answered with six consecutive goals, including one more in the first, four in the second frame, and one in the third following Martin Brodeur’s exit to start the period. The net-minder, who was replaced by Cory Schneider, gave up six goals on twenty-one shots as his team failed to score again in a loss that snapped a two game winning streak.

 

Sports fans won’t have to pay tribute to the super bowl 2014 betting odds if they have outdoor action on their mind. The Rangers and Islanders have a date this Wednesday in the Bronx