Critical Notes

A home run by Mike Cameron helped the Padres inch closer to first place. (AI Wire photo)

The Arizona Diamondbacks, after being the hottest team in baseball for more than month, are picking a bad time to go cold.

National League Cy Young winner Brandon Webb surrendered a season-high six runs Tuesday night as the Diamondbacks lost to San Diego, allowing the Padres to pull within one game of first place in the NL West. Mike Cameron homered in a four-run sixth inning as the Padres rallied for a 6-4 victory at home that snapped a six-game winning streak for Webb (14-9). The Arizona ace lasted only 5.1 innings, his shortest outing since June 22.

The underdog Padres, who maintained a three-game lead in the NL wild-card race, paid +134 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $100 would net a $134 profit). They got two RBIs each from Khalil Greene and Josh Bard, and Trevor Hoffman notched his 35th save in 40 chances. He holds the major league record with 517 saves.

In the other late game in the majors with playoff implications on Tuesday:

Los Angeles Angels 10, Seattle 6: If the Mariners miss the playoffs, they may look back at this game as the beginning of the end. Seattle blew a five-run lead at home as Vladimir Guerrero helped the Angels rally over their American League West foes. Guerrero had four hits and drove in three runs at Safeco Field, where Los Angeles paid +118 and extended their division lead to four games. Kendry Morales had three hits, including a homer and a double that drove in the winning run in the eighth. The Angels have won 10 of 14 games against Seattle this season. The Mariners, who have dropped four in a row, also saw their lead over the Yankees in the AL wild-card race trimmed to one game.

For complete MLB odds for Wednesday, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.

Jessica and Eric called the shots this week on Big Brother, but did they get it right? (Photo courtesy of CBS.com)

The climate in the Big Brother household is getting hotter than a subdivision in Greece. You got people getting burned by bad deals, lonely hearts afire and gamblers feeling the heat. And then you have Amber Tomcavage, whose tear ducts could put out any blaze, meaning someone from Athens is trying to broker a deal with CBS to get her overseas pronto (sorry, we don’t know the Greek word for “in a hurry” and don’t feel like looking it up).

America got a double shot of Amber this week as she appeared on Tuesday’s episode of Power of 10 with fellow housemate Daniele Donato, who flamed out. Amber, given a shot to win $10 million, bombed and walked away with $1,000 that she immediately spent on a Bible and a collection of voodoo dolls to torment all the people who’ve oppressed her throughout her life (that’s according to the Beat’s sources deep within the Big Brother production crew). It doesn’t look like her prayers will be responded to (apparently her god has more to worry about than a whiny racist liar from Manhattan who’s crying poor) and that means she will be booted off the show come Thursday.

When she lost the Power of Veto competition on Tuesday’s episode, Amber’s fate was left up to the nation of viewers and Eric Stein believes he knows what America wants. If he’s right, he made a very wise move with the PoV, opting to not put Daniele up, keeping intact his alliance with her and her father, Dick.

That move could serve him well down the road. How it goes over with his squealing girlfriend, Jessica Hughbanks, is another issue. In one breath she says she wants to marry Eric, then she says she’s not sure if she trusts him. It’ll be interesting to see her reaction at the end of all this when she learns he’s capable of keeping his secret role as America’s Player from her for months. Sounds like the kind of go-getter husband (re: cold-hearted opportunist) any girl wants.

If it turns out Zach Swerdzewski is evicted instead of Amber on Thursday, Eric’s move could backfire.

Here are the latest Big Brother odds on who will win Season 8 of the hit CBS show:

Eric Stein - 3/1

Jameka Cameron - 4/1

Zach Swerdzewski - 9/1

Daniele Donato - 5/2

Jessica Hughbanks - 5/2

Amber Tomcavage - 6/1

Dick Donato - 7/1

For reality TV odds on your favorite shows and celebrity betting odds on the hottest stars, visit the Bodog Sportsbook’s entertainment section. And be sure to read Bodog Nation’s Big Brother article.

Tennis bettors think Venus Williams is a sure thing in the U.S. Open’s second round. (AI Wire photo)

In a day when just about all the big names in tennis are in action, the Williams sisters highlight the early and late sessions at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the U.S. Open.

Venus Williams, the No. 12 seed in the women’s draw, takes on Iona Raluca Olaru in the second match of the day on the main court in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Williams is a -5000 moneyline favorite to reach the third round (meaning a winning wager of $5,000 would net a $100 profit). The match will not start before 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Her sister, Serena, starts the night session at 7 p.m. against Maria Elena Camerin of Italy. Serena Williams, the No. 8 seed, is a -6600 favorite. She is also the second choice to win it all with U.S. Open odds of 5/2. Justin Henin, the top seed and 2/1 favorite, faces Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria at 11 a.m. on the court at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Henin is a -8000 favorite.

In the men’s draw, the top two seeds, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, are in action at Arthur Ashe Stadium, but hours apart. Nadal will follow Venus Williams’ match in the afternoon as he takes on Aussie Alun Jones. That match, in which Nadal is a -6600 favorite, will be featured on ESPN. Federer, meanwhile, takes on Paul Capdeville of Chile in the final match of the night. Federer is a -8000 favorite.

For U.S. Open odds for the men’s and women’s draw throughout the tournament, visit the Bodog Sportsbook every day.

With a big swing, Johnny Damon hurt his old team as the rivalry renewed in the Bronx. (AI Wire photo)

The last time there was a historic comeback in the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, Johnny Damon played a major role. Will he do it again? The Yankees hope so.

Damon, a hero in the 2004 ALCS for Boston, smacked a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning off Daisuke Matsuzaka (13-11), leading the Yankees to a much-needed 5-3 victory in the opener of a crucial series Tuesday night.

With the win, New York closed to within seven games of the American League East-leading Red Sox. Damon’s two-run homer was his ninth of the year and continues his hot streak. The leftfielder and leadoff man has been hitting .350 since July 21.

He made a winner of Andy Pettitte (12-7) as the Yankees rebounded from a 16-0 loss to Detroit on Monday. Pettitte is 10-1 since the All-Star break

Derek Jeter also hit his ninth homer for favored New York, which paid -139 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $139 would net a $100 profit).

Matsuzaka lost for the third straight start, even though the Red Sox got homers from Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek.

(more…)

The defending champion, Maria Sharapova, made it look easy in her opening match. (AI Wire photo)

Maria Sharapova began her run at this year’s U.S. Open the way she ended last year, with a victory before an adoring crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The No. 2 seed in the women’s draw only needed 50 minutes to put away Roberta Vinci, 6-0, 6-1, in the first round on Tuesday night. Sharapova, whose U.S. Open odds are 5/1 to repeat, also wowed fans with her dress, a little red number that featured 600 sparkling crystals.

“It’s red this year, like the Big Apple, in honor of the city,” Sharapova told the audience during her courtside interview after the match. The response was predictable — wild cheers.

Other women advancing on Tuesday included No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova and former champ Martina Hingis.

In the men’s draw, Andy Roddick, the No. 5 seed, capped the night with a straight-set victory over his good friend, Justin Gimelstob. Roddick was a whopping -8000 moneyline favorite. The sure bet (it would take $8,000 to win $100) proved to be just that as Roddick, the 2003 Open champ, ousted Gimelstob, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3. Despite what the moneyline said, this was a dangerous match because Gimelstob, 30, said this would be his last event before retiring. Who knows what kind of effort a player in that circumstance might come up with?

He put up a fight in the first set before Roddick dispatched him with unreturnable serves and forehand winners. Roddick holds U.S. Open odds of 20/1 to win it all and he has won 34 matches on hard-court this year, the most of any player on the ATP Tour.

For U.S. Open odds for the men’s and women’s draw throughout the tournament, visit the Bodog Sportsbook every day.

Maria Sharapova is ready to defend her U.S. Open title. (AI Wire photo)

The queen takes the court Tuesday night in New York - and she has reason to have a chip on her shoulder.

Despite being the defending champion and No. 2 seed, Maria Sharapova holds U.S. Open odds of only 5/1, making her the third choice among the betting public. The 20-year-old beauty has battled a shoulder injury this year, but says she’s healthy heading into the final grand slam event of the tennis season.

She meets Italian Roberta Vinci in one of the matches featured at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Sharapova will be a heavy favorite to advance to the second round. Her chief rivals for the title, Justine Henin and Serena and Venus Williams, all won on opening day.

In the men’s draw, a battle between Americans highlights the night matches as No. 5 Andy Roddick takes on once promising Justin Gimelstob. Roddick beat Gimelstob in the first round at Wimbledon two months ago.

Roddick is an intriguing player for tennis bettors. His U.S. Open odds make him a fairly long shot at 20/1, but he has 33 wins on hard-court surfaces this year, a total that leads the ATP. He’s also a fan favorite and won the tournament in 2003.

How he fares against Gimelstob could give a prelude to what he will do the rest of the way.

For U.S. Open odds for the men’s and women’s draw throughout the tournament, visit the Bodog Sportsbook every day. And read a preview of the women’s draw in Bodog Nation, the popular online magazine.

Maria Sharapova is ready to defend her U.S. Open title. (AI Wire photo)

The queen takes the court Tuesday night in New York - and she has reason to have a chip on her shoulder.

Despite being the defending champion and No. 2 seed, Maria Sharapova holds U.S. Open odds of only 5/1, making her the third choice among the betting public. The 20-year-old beauty has battled a shoulder injury this year, but says she’s healthy heading into the final grand slam event of the tennis season.

She meets Italian Roberta Vinci in one of the matches featured at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Sharapova will be a heavy favorite to advance to the second round. Her chief rivals for the title, Justine Henin and Serena and Venus Williams, all won on opening day.

In the men’s draw, a battle between Americans highlights the night matches as No. 5 Andy Roddick takes on once promising Justin Gimelstob. Roddick beat Gimelstob in the first round at Wimbledon two months ago.

Roddick is an intriguing player for tennis bettors. His U.S. Open odds make him a fairly long shot at 20/1, but he has 33 wins on hard-court surfaces this year, a total that leads the ATP. He’s also a fan favorite and won the tournament in 2003.

How he fares against Gimelstob could give a prelude to what he will do the rest of the way.

For U.S. Open odds for the men’s and women’s draw throughout the tournament, visit the Bodog Sportsbook every day. And read a preview of the women’s draw in Bodog Nation, the popular online magazine.

John Lackey dominated Seattle in a seven-hit shutout. (AI Wire photo)

As far as the Seattle Mariners are concerned, they may as well concede whenever John Lackey is on the hill.

The Los Angeles Angels’ ace pitched his second consecutive shutout against Seattle, mowing down the Mariners in a 6-0 win at Safeco Field on Monday night. Lackey (16-8) joined Tim Wakefield and Josh Beckett, both of Boston, as the only 16-game winners in the major leagues.

He lowered his ERA to 3.18 and needed only 109 pitches (71 strikes) to record the win over the Angels’ closest rival in the American League West. Lackey is now 3-0 this year against the Mariners and has allowed 18 singles to them in those victories. That’s no doubles, no triples, no home runs. Just one base hit at a time. Talk about making your opponent feel small.

With the win in the opener of this important series, Los Angeles built a three-game lead over Seattle. Hot-hitting Garret Anderson had a homer and three RBIs to lead the Angels’ offense. The Angels paid -107 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $107 would net a $100 profit).

(more…)

John Lackey dominated Seattle in a seven-hit shutout. (AI Wire photo)

As far as the Seattle Mariners are concerned, they may as well concede whenever John Lackey is on the hill.

The Los Angeles Angels’ ace pitched his second consecutive shutout against Seattle, mowing down the Mariners in a 6-0 win at Safeco Field on Monday night. Lackey (16-8) joined Tim Wakefield and Josh Beckett, both of Boston, as the only 16-game winners in the major leagues.

He lowered his ERA to 3.18 and needed only 109 pitches (71 strikes) to record the win over the Angels’ closest rival in the American League West. Lackey is now 3-0 this year against the Mariners and has allowed 18 singles to them in those victories. That’s no doubles, no triples, no home runs. Just one base hit at a time. Talk about making your opponent feel small.

With the win in the opener of this important series, Los Angeles built a three-game lead over Seattle. Hot-hitting Garret Anderson had a homer and three RBIs to lead the Angels’ offense. The Angels paid -107 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $107 would net a $100 profit).

(more…)

Chase Utley is back in the nick of time for Philadelphia. (AI Wire photo)

For a team playing catch-up in the standings, having a guy named Chase comes in handy.

All-Star second baseman Chase Utley returned to the Philadelphia Phillies’ lineup after a month on the disabled list and powered the team to a big win Monday night at Citizens Bank Park. Utley was 3-for-5 with a home run as the Phillies routed the New York Mets, 9-2, in the opener of a key series in the National League East race.

Pat Burrell and Tadahito Iguchi also homered as Philadelphia closed to within five games of division-leading New York. The Phillies paid -115 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $115 would net a $100 profit).

Utley, who missed 28 games with a broken finger, was a triple short of the cycle. He leads the NL with a .339 batting average.

(more…)