European Tour – 72 Hole Group Betting the Barclays Scottish Open

Phil Mickelson will show up in Glasgow this week to take on some of the best golfers in the world at the Barclays Scottish Open.

Lefty is a decided favorite in the golf betting sportsbook to win the Barclays Scottish Open. He’s going off roughly at +800 to win the tournament. Surprisingly, Phil fans might be able to get better value on him to win the group he’s in because he’ll only have to beat 4 other golfers.

European Tour: Barclays Scottish Open

Where: Loch Lamond, GC, Glasgow, Scotland

When: July 8th thru July 11th

TV: The Golf Channel

72 Hole Group Golf Betting odds

Group A: Phil Mickelson +200, Ernie Els +325, Martin Kaymer +350, Graeme McDowell +400, Retief Goosen +425

Analysis: Okay, maybe Phil fans won’t get betting value on him to win this group. I mean, Ernie, Kaymer, McDowell and Goose are all capable of winning! The best bet might actually be Goosen who finished in 6th place only 4 strokes off of Martin Kaymer n the 2009 Barclays Scottish Open. But…I can’t go with Goose in this…what am I thinking? Not when the defending champion is at +350! Kaymer all the way.

Golf Bet: Martin Kaymer +350

Group B: Charl Schwartzel +325, Francesco Molinari +325, Ross Fisher +325, Robert Allenby +350, Camilo Villegas +350

Analysis: Molinari is hot. He finished 2nd at the Open de France last week. Schwartzel’s a tough guy, Fisher shot a 10 under at the Scottish Open in 2009 and both Allenby and Villegas are scary. Schwartzel’s my golf bet in this because he figures to bounce back after that 32nd place finish in Paris last week. The man doesn’t often play badly in 2 tournaments in a row.

Golf Bet: Charl Schwartzel +325

Group C: Rhys Davies +300, Miguel Angel Jimenez +300, Vijay Singh +325, JB Holmes +350, Danny Willet +350

Analysis: Jimenez won the Open de France. Singh is a throw-out. So is JB Holmes who probably should tee off at the John Deere Classic this week. Danny Willet? He shot a 3 over in the 2009 Barclays Scottish Open. Throwing him out! So, is Jimenez the play or Davies? I’m betting on Davies who finished a respectable 26th at the Open de France last week because Jimenez hasn’t put together 2 really good tournaments in a row this year.

Golf Bet: Rhys Davis +300

Golf Bet D: Thomas Bjorn +300, Alejandro Canizares +325, Oliver Wilson +325, Raphael Jacquelin +350, Jeev Mikah Singh +350

Analysis: Bjorn won the Estoril Open de Portugal and finished 18th in Paris last week. Canizares finished 2nd in Paris last week. Wilson finished 6th in Paris last week and Jacquelin finished 2nd in last year’s Scottish Open. My head’s hurting because I have no idea who to pick in this group! Wait I see a name…Cainzares. He seems to finish in the Top 10, or at least the Top 20 every time he shows up.

Golf Bet: Alejandro Canizares +325

Golf Bet E: Edoardo Molinari +275, Chris Wood +300, Ryo Ishikawa +325, Lucas Glover +350, Steve Marino +375

Analysis: There’s not much to go on with this group. Nobody in this group has made a splash except for Ishikawa, but that guy can be a real disappointment at times. I don’t know. A part of me feels that Ishikawa is the one to bet, but my gut tells me to go with Molinari because he finished 4th at The Celtic Manor Wales Open.

Golf Bet: Edoardo Molinari +275

 

This week’s European Tour Tournament is the Barclays Scottish Open! Log onto the golf sportsbook and bet the Barclays Scottish Open!

PGA Tour – Is Golf Fave Steve Stricker the Best Bet to Finish in the Top 10 at the John Deere Classic?

Steve Stricker has to start doing something in 2010.  Yes, he did win the AT&T National but he hasn’t been playing all that well lately since coming back to the PGA Tour after a clavicle injury.

He actually hasn’t finished in the Top 15, much less the Top 10, in any one of his last 5 tournaments.  That’s the reason he’s going off at better golf odds in the sportsbook to finish in the Top 10 at the John Deere Classic then one might expect.

Is he a good golf wager to finish in the Top 10 at TPC Deere Run this week?

PGA Tour:  John Deere Classic

Where:  TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois

When:  July 8th thru July 11th, 2010

Par/Yardage:  71 and 7,268

TV:  The Golf Channel and CBS

Top 10

Best Golf Bet A:  Jeff Overton +200

Getting into the Top 10 means that a golfer has to stay competitive for all 4 rounds of a tournament.  Overton has done that lately with Top 5 finishes in 3 out of his last 5 tournaments.  Being competitive at TPC Deere Run means putting well because the greens are very large.  Overton is good at that as well.  He’s ranked 18th in birdie average and 9th in putting average on the PGA Tour.  He’s got a good shot to finish in the Top 10 at nice golf betting odds. 

Best Golf Bet B:  Steve Stricker +110

Even though the 2009 John Deere Classic defending champion hasn’t had a 2010 that lives up to his own standards, he should do very well at TPC Deere Run this year.  He’s ranked 23rd in putting average, 30th in birdie average, 11th in putts per round and 11th in total putting.  He holds the course record for lowest round ever with a 61.

Worst Golf Wager:  Kenny Perry +275

Perry’s had a horrible year with only 1 Top 10 finish so far in 2010 and that Top 10 occurred in January.  He’s ranked 151st in putting average and 156th in putts per round.  Top 10?  I wouldn’t bet on Perry to finish in the Top 30 at those golf odds.

Best Underdog Bet:  Brett Quigley +750

He doesn’t have a single Top 10 finish (unless you count the 2nd at the CVS Caremark Charity Classic, which was a 2 round golf event, as a Top 10!) on the season, is ranked 129th in putting average, 150th in putts per round and 121st in total putting but he’s the underdog pick in this golf betting category.  Why?  Because he shot a 17 under, including a 62 third round, in the 2009 John Deere Classic.  He knows the course, obviously, and is going off at great golf wagering odds to finish in the Top 10. 

Others to Consider

K.J. Choi +160 – - He’s ranked 16th on the PGA Tour in putting average and 4th in scoring average.

Tim Clark +160 – - He’s ranked 4th in putting average, 22nd in putts per round and 21st in total putting.  He also won The Players Championship earlier this year.

Zach Johnson +150 – - He shot a 64 third round and a 66 fourth round at last year’s John Deere Classic.

This week the PGA Tour heads to Silvis, Illinois for the John Deere Classic!  Log onto the sportsbook and bet the John Deere Classic!

ATP Tennis Betting Free Picks – Newport Second-Round Action

Newport, USA – The ATP Newport grass court tournament, the lone grass court event on American soil and the only men’s tournament running this week, enters the second round today.

On the books are several eye-catching matchups including Nicolas Mahut, the player that took John Isner to a historic five and deciding set at the Wimbledon Championships first round and which ended 70-68 to Isner.

Here is the lowdown of some of the action currently trading in the tennis betting market at Betus.com.

Tennis Betting Line:

Frank Dancevic +3 -125 +170 22½ O -145 U +105

Nicolas Mahut -3 -115 -220 22½ O -145 U +105

Match Time:02:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday July 7, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Nicolas Mahut received a warm welcome in Newport when he began his bid, in recognition of his part in the Isner-Mahut epic at Wimbledon.

The Frenchman opened with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 victory over Alejandro Falla, the Columbian that took Federer to five sets in his opener.

It was a tough match and a good one for Mahut to survive. Next up is Canadian kid Frank Dancevic – a nice talent but a chronic underachiever on the ATP level. Mahut should win this encounter.

Tennis Free Picks: Mahut in straight sets -220 | Over Under 22 ½ +105

Tennis Betting Line:

Olivier Rochus -4 -110 -350 22 O -135 U -105

Sergei Bubka +4 -130 +225 22 O -135 U -105

Match Time:02:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday July 7, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Olivier Rochus of Belgium has enjoyed a few memorable moments this term, both of which ironically against Novak Djokovic.

The Belgian beat Nole at Miami and nigh beat him at Wimbledon. Rochus understandably is favoured over an unheralded Sergei Bubka and to all intents and purposes, he is the better play.

Tennis Free Picks: Rochus in three sets -350 | Over 22 -135

Tennis Betting Line:

Ryan Harrison -3½ -130 -300 22½ O -110 U -130

Denis Kudla +3½ -110 +200 22½ O -110 U -130

Match Time:04:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday July 7, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: The all-American affair at Newport between Harrison and Kudla is shaping up to be an interesting clash featuring two potential future talents.

Harrison, 18, and Kudla, 17, are just getting their first taste of ATP action. Harrison has seen a bit more action though and it has been a tad underwhelming (1-7 ahead of Newport).

Kudla is through to his first ATP event on the season. Harrison is the favourite because of experience alone.

Kudla is an unknown entity and it is hard to predict what to expect. Harrison should win but there is no reason why Kudla cannot orchestrate the upset. Harrison is definitely beatable.

Tennis Free Picks: Kudla in three sets +200 | Over 22 ½ -110

Tennis Betting Free Picks – Second Round Action at WTA Budapest

Budapest, Hungary – It is a rather slow week in tennis after the climax of the Wimbledon Championships on Sunday, nonetheless, there is WTA action to bet on this week.

The GDF Suez Grand Prix women’s event is taking place in Budapest, Hungary and several interesting players have descended on this Magyar city flanking both banks of the Danube River.

Here is the lowdown on the action currently on the books in the tennis market at Betus.com

Tennis Betting Line: Zuzana Ondraskova +150 Roberta Vinci -200

Match Time:05:00 AM Eastern Time Thursday July 8, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Roberta Vinci is the favourite at -200 while Zuzana Ondraskova is a mere puppy at +150.

This is a tight betting line and the winner a tossup. In fact, Ondraskova just edges Vinci 3-2 lifetime; however, she hasn’t beaten Vinci since 2004.

This is the pair’s first meeting in five years and all things being equal, it is anybody’s game.

Tennis Free Picks: Ondraskova in three sets +150

Tennis Betting Line: Anabel Medina Garrigues -300 Greta Arn +200

Match Time:05:00 AM Eastern Time Thursday July 8, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Home favourite Greta Arn is the bookies underdog in this match at +200 meanwhile, Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues is the favourite at -300. Greta Arn will have crowd support wholly on her side and that could take her to victory.

She has done passably well at her home event. Medina Garrigues though is a bit of a clay-court aficionado and has the slightest edge on surface.

If she can overlook the crowd, she should win but it more likely than not it will be by the narrowest of margins.

Tennis Free Picks: Medina Garrigues in three sets -300

Tennis Betting Line: Alize Cornet +135 Timea Bacsinszky -175

Match Time:05:00 AM Eastern Time Thursday July 8, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Frenchwoman Alize Cornet has some nice clay-court skills and at one time enjoyed an encouraging clay-court swing, highlighted by winning a maiden title – ironically, the 2008 Budapest title.

Since 2008, Cornet has struggled and her game didn’t mature according to expectation. Not surprisingly, she is the puppy at +135.

Bacsinszky is the firm favourite at -175. She has a win over Cornet, which stands as their only head-to-head and importantly, the encounter came this year at Barcelona.

Last year, Timea Bacsinszky won at Luxembourg, beating out some noteworthy competition en route to her maiden title.

Tennis Free Picks: Bacsinszky in three sets -175

Furious MLB Free Pick – Tampa Goes For Sweep Against Boston

The Boston Red Sox have been hammered by injuries all season long, and though they were able to stave off a huge drop in the standings, key absences are starting to show ill effects.

As an MLB free pick, the Red Sox are moderate underdogs at +160 and desperately need a win over Tampa to climb higher in the standings as we approach the All-Star break.

The Rays, however, might not be willing to oblige.

Boston has slumped to a 3-7 SU record in their past 10 games on the road and are just 2-4 SU in their last 6 games overall.

Though they have a winning record in their last 6 games in Tampa (4-2 SU on the road in Tampa), they’re missing big names on their roster. Mike Lowell, Victor Martinez, Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek are just a few of the stand outs on their disabled list.

Tim Wakefield gets the start at the stripe for the dwindling Sox. In 13 starts, he’s just 3-6 SU with a 1.29 WHIP and a 4.96 ERA on the season.

He’s somehow completely avoided the Tampa Rays this season in the rotation and in the bullpen, and his teammates will need the 43-year old starter to find some of his magic if they hope to avoid a sweep.

Boston Red Sox (49-35) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (50-33)

Wednesday, June 7th — Tropicana Field — 7:10pm EST

MLB Betting Lines:

BOS – Tim Wakefield (R) +1.5 -130 / +160 / O 8.5 -110

TB – David Price (L) -1.5 +110 / -190 / U 8.5 -110

Tampa Bay will send their best pitcher to the mound in the form of David Price.

In 16 starts, Price is 11-4 SU with a 2.42 ERA. His losses have come with poor run support. The Rays have allowed 3.5 runs overall in David Price’s losses, and offered just 1.25 runs to back him up.

Considering that they’ve found their rhythm against the Sox, outscoring them 9-7 in two games, I’d bet that isn’t going to be a problem.

Where To Watch: NESN, SUN

It’s almost amazing to think that Boston is still in the playoff hunt considering all their injuries.

When facing a team like New York or Toronto, you can get lucky at the plate or at the mound.

Tampa is a team that will make you work for a win, and Boston simply doesn’t have the muscle at the plate or on defense to keep this game in hand. The win and the sweep go to Tampa.

Furious MLB Free Pick – Tampa RL and ML (UNDER)

In case that wasn’t enough for your baseball betting palette, we’re introducing a new feature right below!

Along with your daily MLB free picks, I’m adding a parlay recommendation along with it. The following is not for the weak of heart.

You’re getting two for the price of one now, might as well double up your pleasures in MLB betting too.

Warning: for tough guys only!

Tough Guy Baseball Parlay Pick: Tampa -190 ML and Minnesota -105 ML

MLB Betting Lines:

MIN – Kevin Slowey (R) -105 ML

TOR – Marc Rzepczynski (L) -115 ML

Game Time: Rogers Centre — 7:05pm EST

MLB Betting Trends:

• Minnesota is 2-5 SU in last 7 road games
• Minnesota is 5-15 SU in last 20 games against Toronto
• Minnesota is 4-10 SU in last 14 on the road in Toronto
• Toronto is 1-8 SU in last 9 games
• Toronto is 2-6 SU in last 8 home games

Marlins Ready For Dodgers Tonight – MLB Odds

The Florida Marlins have to feel confident about their game against the L.A. Dodgers tonight. The Marlins send Josh Johnson, their top pitcher, to the mound. Johnson has been exceptional during 2010. That’s one of the reasons the Marlins are the baseball betting favorites in the MLB sportsbook to beat L.A. on the road.

Johnson has gone 8 and 3 on the season with a 1.82 ERA and a .96 WHIP. His team needs to come up big for him on Wednesday night, though, because although Johnson has pitched well in his last 4 games, yielding 1 run in 3 of the games and 2 runs in 1 of the games, he’s recorded 1 victory, 1 loss and 2 no-decisions in those 4 games.

Can the Marlins help their pitcher with some runs on Wednesday night?

Florida Marlins at Los Angeles Dodgers

Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

When: July 7th, 2010 at 10:10 pm EST

TV: Marlins – FS-F, News 13
Dodgers – PRIME

Radio: Marlins – WAXY 790, WAQI 710
Dodgers – KABC 790, KHJ 930

MLB Betting Odds

Florida Marlins
Josh Johnson – R -1 ½ +140 -120

Los Angeles Dodgers
Hiroki Kuroda – R +1 ½ -160 Ev

According to the trends, both the Dodgers and Marlins have a shot at the victory tonight.

The Florida Marlins are 25 and 5 in Josh Johnson’s last 30 starts after 4 days of rest.

The Florida Marlins are 1 and 4 in Josh Johnson’s last 5 starts as a favorite on the road.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 4 and 1 in Hiroki Kuroda’s last 5 starts versus a team with a losing record.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 7 and 2 in Hiroki Kuroda’s last 9 starts at home.

Kuroda hasn’t had a horrible season. He’s 7 and 6 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. But he’s coming off of his worst start of the season. Last Friday, against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kuroda gave up 6 runs and 8 hits in only 1 2/3 innings of work. The Dodgers lost to Arizona 5 to 12. Not only that, but Kuroda has given up 15 hits and 10 runs in his last 6.3 innings pitched. He’s gone 1 and 2 in his last 3 starts.

Those stats pale in comparison to Johnson’s who has recorded 15 quality starts in a row. Johnson has also yielded 1 run or less in 9 out of his last 10 starts. The only knock against Johnson is the fact that he’s got a 5.00 ERA in 3 starts at Dodger Stadium. He’s 2 and 0 in those 3 starts, though, making the ERA a moot point.

I just don’t see how the Dodgers get to Johnson while I do see the Marlins, who average 4.66 runs per game and bat .264 as a team, roughing up Kuroda. Florida should put up runs early while Johnson coasts to the 7th inning. At that point it will be all about how Florida’s relievers put the lockdown on the Dodgers’ batters.

I’m backing Johnson and the Marlins in this game. That’s the baseball bet that I’m making.

MLB Sportsbook Pick: Florida Marlins -120

MLB Betting – Marlins Will Bounce Back Out West

Marlins ace Josh Johnson is looking for his 9th win of the season and he’ll take on the Dodgers on Wednesday night.

MLB Game Odds:

Florida Marlins -120
Josh Johnson – (R)
Los Angeles Dodgers EVEN
Hiroki Kuroda – (R)

Run Line:
O 6.5 -120
U 6.5 EVEN

Total:
Marlins -1.5 +140
Dodgers +1.5 -160

 

Location: Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
Game Time: Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 – 10:10 PM EST
TV: FSPT, FSFL 

The Week That Was: Marlins

After a three-game set in Puerto Rico, the Marlins returned to the US to face division rival Atlanta in a three-game set. The Fish had a late-inning lead in the opener, but closer Leo Nunez blew the game, allowing a pair of runs as the Braves won 4-3 in 11 innings. Another loss followed, but Florida was able to avoid the sweep with a 3-2 win on Sunday. Dan Uggla had all three Florida RBI’s in the game, including his 16th home run of the season. Ricky Nolasco struck out 11 in seven innings and allowed only two runs to improve to 8-6 on the year.  

The Marlins were able to create a modest-two game win streak after winning the opener against Los Angeles 6-5. Florida had a 6-1 lead at one point and were able to hold off a big Dodger rally. The next game Florida never had a lead to almost blow, as they were down big early, eventually losing 7-3.  

The Week That Was: Dodgers

The Dodger week began with a win against San Francisco, giving them a three-game sweep over their NL-West rivals. Vincente Padilla pitched brilliantly in the finale, allowing just one run in seven innings. 

Los Angeles stayed in-division in their next series, and experienced three very different games in their weekend set against Arizona. The opener saw L.A. get blown out by the D-Backs, 12-5. Los Angeles would very quickly return the favour, demolishing Arizona 14-1 the next day. Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Rafael Furcal all hit home runs in the rout. The Dodgers then won a pitching duel in the finale, taking the series with a 3-1 win behind a strong outing by Chad Billingsley.

Despite a late rally, the Dodgers were unable to top Florida in the series opener, falling 6-5 to the Fish. Down by five runs at one point, the Dodgers clawed back but couldn’t finish the job. The Dodgers carried that late-inning momentum into the next game, building a 6-0 lead before beating the Fish 7-3. 

The Matchup

After a couple of shaky outings by Ubaldo Jimenez, Marlins ace Josh Johnson has taken over the reigns as the most dominating pitcher in baseball right now. The right-hander has been virtually unhittable over the past two months. In his last 10 starts, Johnson has allowed more than one run in a game only once; he had a streak of eight straight games allowing one run or less. His WHIP is an outstanding 0.98, and is averaging over a strikeout per inning. He’s also very durable; in his last seven starts, he’s failed to pitch seven innings only once. He is one of baseball’s best.
Kuroda is coming off his worst outing of the season. He lasted only 1 2/3 innings against Arizona, allowing six runs on eight hits. Kuroda’s numbers aren’t terrible, although his high WHIP and low K/BB ratio suggests more tough roads ahead for the Japanese right-hander. Once the staff ace, Kuroda has seen his production drop and his ERA rise for the past month and a half.  

MLB Betting Pick: Florida Marlins 

AFC West Futures – Can Oakland Upset San Diego?

The third in our installment on 2010 NFL division futures betting takes us to the Wild West of the American Football Conference; a division that should fight the NFC West for the title of weakest division in professional football for the fourth season in a row.

San Diego Chargers (-325 odds to win AFC West)

Even with the permanent loss of LaDanian Tomlinson, and the temporary loss of Vincent Jackson, the Chargers are in a terrific spot to reign supreme in the AFC West yet again.

Darren Sproles may be an undersized running back, but he fits in to the vertical passing attack led by Phillip Rivers. This is still a team that went 13-3 SU last year and 8-7-1 ATS overall.

Of course, ruling the regular season is the easy part for San Diego. Getting through the gauntlet of the playoffs against the Colts, Patriots, Jets and all the other contenders will be the tough part.

Circle Week 7 (Patriots), Week 12 (Colts) and Week 16 (Bengals) as gut check time for a team that has a laughable division to contend with, and a pancake schedule to work through.

Also, before you bet on the Chargers to win Super Bowl XLV, just keep in mind that Norv Turner is still the head coach. I’m just saying.

Denver Broncos (+600 odds to win AFC West)

All the football futures focus on the Broncos will circulate around Tim Tebow, and whether that bothers you or not, it’s a fact, so just get used to it.

Kyle Orton aside, Tebow will soon be somewhat challenged by Brady Quinn for the starting role. But if anyone is primed to get the most out of Tebow’s wonky throwing motion, it’s Josh McDaniels.

I’ve argued ad nauseum that throwing an NFL pass is not like CPR – you can’t learn it in three weeks. Tebow’s natural instincts and techniques will rear their ugly ways when he’s under pressure in a real game. Trust me on that.

Honestly, I don’t care how hard the guy works. There have been plenty of great college quarterbacks that have been massive busts in the NFL. He has every chance to be the next Elway, but he also has just as high of a chance to be the next JaMarcus Russell.

Nothing is guaranteed in life no matter how good of a person you are. Why you and NFL betting fan would think that Tebow’s off-the-chart intangibles and character traits would make his chances of succeeding in the NFL any higher than any quarterback prospect is unreasonable at this point.

The Denver Broncos, in turn, are a stay away bet to win the AFC West.

It also doesn’t help that the team’s best offensive weapons are playing elsewhere. Brandon Marshall, perhaps the best overall receiver in the game, is in Miami and Tony Scheffler is now in Detroit.

Oakland Raiders (+750 odds to win AFC West)

I actually prefer the Oakland Raiders as the outside shot over any team in the AFC West not named “San Diego Chargers”.

Jason Campbell has all the physical tools to be a great quarterback, and perhaps all he needed was a change of scenery.

He’s the best quarterback this team has had in years, and if he can add any semblance of consistency to the Silver and Black attack, then the fans will do the rest to keep momentum churning in Oakland.

Think about this before you completely write the Raiders off. Decent quarterback? Check. Dangerous running backs? Check. An improved offensive line? Meh. Sneaky wide receiver threats? Check.

You’ve been warned. They are 7-point underdogs in the NFL Week One futures in the BetOnline sportsbook, and I’m all over Oakland on this one!

Kansas City Chiefs (+700 odds to win AFC West)

Kansas City is an afterthought in the sportsbooks these days, much to the chagrin of Matt Cassel but I wouldn’t sleep on this team just yet. Cassel is a very good quarterback, and Thomas Jones will at least give the running game some consistency.

The one-two of Jones and Jamaal Charles, who had 1,120 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns last season, gives Kansas City an interesting offense. It really just depends how much you trust that offensive line.

Even at +700, I don’t trust them that much to surpass the Chargers.

Chuck Liddell Gets Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds

Chuck Liddell is widely regarded as the first mixed martial arts super-duper star, becoming a household name and transitioning into the cultural lexicon as not only a UFC Champion, but also as an actor.

And as his career in the UFC comes to a close, it is almost appropriate that he be enshrined in time at Madame Tussauds wax museum with his very own figurine.

IN the BetFlix MMAWeekly video you can see the unveiling of the Chuck Liddell wax figure and it uncanny resemblance to the former Light Heavyweight Champ as Liddell posed beside his look-alike wearing an identical shirt and sporting the all-to-familiar wide Mohawk haircut and Japanese character tattoo on the side of his head.

The 40 year old Liddell is coming off his third consecutive knockout loss in the UFC, and has lost five of his last six fights, only one of which went the distance.

He has been openly “retired” by UFC president Dana White, who refuses to book the fighting legend in anymore fights under the UFC banner, though Liddell still clings to hope that he will one day be able to not only fight again, but compete in the UFC.

Liddell has been immortalized in the past as a video game character and an action figure, and the Iceman will forever be considered one of the pioneering fighters that helped bring the UFC and mixed martial arts out of the fringe and obscurity into the world of respected mainstream athletics.

Pivotal Race in NASCAR This Weekend

Motor sports betting fans know that it is rarely over until it’s over, and this year that is proving to be the case. The Sprint Cup points race got a little more interesting last week after the results of the Coke Zero 400. Now Jeff Gordon can start taking dead aim at Kevin Harvick this week at Chicagoland during the Lifelock.com 400.

Meanwhile, in the most advanced racing cars on Earth, two Brits, on the same F1 team no less, will battle it out on home turf to try to keep their team at the top of the standings. (See the F1 British Grand Prix betting breakdown here). Just as exciting, here in America, we have:

NASCAR Betting Odds To Win Lifelock.com 400 – Top Ten
Saturday, July 10 at Chicagoland Speedway – Joliet, IL

Jimmie Johnson   +325
Denny Hamlin    +500
Kyle Busch        +500
Jeff Gordon       +700
Kurt Busch       +900
Jeff Burton        +1100
Kevin Harvick    +1100
Kasey Kahne     +1400
Tony Stewart     +1500
Clint Bowyer    +1800

Last week’s Coke Zero 400 was bizarre, to say the least. The cars that had to exit the race due to accident exceeded the cars that finished the race. It was the good fortune of some of the cars that they were so far away from the lead and/or the pack that they were not adversely affected by the crashes.

That’s how people like Mike Bliss and Reed Sorenson wound up in the top ten. Even J.J. Yeley had a top ten finish. As one of the survivors, Jeff Gordon (who is +700 to win this week’s race) greatly benefited, even though once again he didn’t win. Gordon’s third-place finish helped him jump three spots to second in the Sprint Cup standings, but Kevin Harvick, the Cup leader who is +1000 to win the Championship, gained on everybody with his win.

Another big beneficiary of Saturday night’s race at Daytona was Kasey Kahne, who ran second to Harvick and is now 16th in the standings. He is now in position to make a move, although he better make it in a hurry if he is going to pass Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer (who led Saturday’s race for a while) and Mark Martin.

Kahne is at +1400 in the sports betting odds to win this Saturday night at Chicagoland, while Bowyer is listed as one of the other betting favorites at +1800.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is on the move; he is now eleventh in the Cup standings, which would put him in position to make the Chase for the Cup, and he is at +2500 to win this weekend’s race. Mark Martin, Earnhardt’s teammate with Hendrick Motorsports, dominated the field in last year’s race, leading 195 of the 267 laps and then had to survive a series of restarts to get the checkered flag, beating out Gordon and Kahne.

Jimmie Johnson, yet another Hendrick NASCAR driver, is the favorite in this race at +325 and he’s got some statistics to back him up. He has the best average finishing position at this track, at 8.1, the best average running position at 7.3 and the best driver rating, 112.8. The only thing Johnson has never done, believe it or not, is win a race at Chicagoland. Maybe that changes this week on the 1.5-mile tri-oval.

 

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