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10/23/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 103rd World Series is about to get underway, as the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies get ready to kick off the Fall Classic at Fenway Park on Wednesday.
Colorado, of course, is in the midst of one of the greatest runs in sports history and has won 21 of its last 22 games to get to this point. The Rockies, who had won just one postseason contest before this season, are also the first team to sweep their way through the division series and LCS, beating the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks in three and four games, respectively.
While Colorado will be playing in its first-ever Fall Classic, their opponents, the Boston Red Sox, are no stranger to postseason play and will be trying for their seventh title and will be appearing in their 11th World Series.
Boston became the 11th team in postseason history to rally from a 3-1 deficit to win a best-of-seven series, beating the Cleveland Indians in seven games to claim their first AL pennant since winning the World Series in 2004, their first title since 1918.
These teams actually met during the season, as Colorado took two out of three from the Red Sox at Fenway in June. Colorado outscored Boston 20-5, dropping the first game 2-1 before winning the next two, 12-2 and 7-1. The finale of that set saw Josh Beckett get his first loss of the season.
As an introduction to this World Series matchup, let's take a look at the keys to winning the series for both clubs.
BOSTON RED SOX
1. JOSH BECKETT'S AIR OF INVINCIBILITY
There is not a pitcher in all of baseball I would rather have on the hill in a big spot than Boston right-hander Josh Beckett. He has become this generation's John Smoltz, plain and simple.
Beckett has made three starts this postseason, winning all of them and pitching to a sparkling 1.17 earned run average in the process. This has just added to his already impressive playoff resume that includes a 5-2 mark and a 1.78 ERA in nine games.
While the bright lights of the World Series may bother Colorado's young pitching staff, there is not a chance in the world of it even fazing the incredible Beckett.
2. MANNY TO KEEP ON BEING MANNY
There is no bigger enigma in all of sports than Boston left fielder Manny Ramirez, who created quite a stir in the ALCS with some comments he made saying that if the Red Sox lost "who cares...it is not the end of the world."
However, you have to put up with his Manny being Manny antics because he is one of the best right-handed hitters to ever play the game. Ramirez has been an absolute beast in these playoffs, hitting .400 to go along with four home runs and 14 RBI.
Sure, he does not run every hit out, he stands and admires every home run he hits and he may not always give you the best effort in left field. But is there any other player you want to see at the plate with runners in scoring position?
3. KEEP ORTIZ'S KNEES HEALTHY IN COLORADO
Boston manager Terry Francona has quite a dilemma on his hands when the series shifts to Colorado and the Red Sox lose the designated hitter position. Ordinarily it would not be a big deal, you would just throw David Ortiz at first, despite his obvious flaws in the field. However, Ortiz's knees are barking and the Red Sox aren't sure if they can withstand three straight games in the field.
Bottom line, though, you have to have his bat in the lineup. He is one of the most clutch hitters of all-time and is having another tremendous postseason. Ortiz was 7-for-his-first-9 this postseason and is batting .387 in the playoffs with three home runs, six RBI and 12 runs scored.
COLORADO ROCKIES
1. STEAL A GAME IN BOSTON
This pretty much goes without saying, but if the Rockies can get one of the first two games in Boston, it will change a lot of people's minds on how this series is going to turn out.
Most people felt the four-day layoff between the division series and LCS would have a negative impact on the Rockies since they were so hot. Well it barely even fazed them, as they rolled past the Diamondbacks in four straight. Now will the eight-day break be too much to bear?
The Rockies have played just three road games in the postseason and scored a total of 12 runs in 29 innings.
Getting that first game is the key. Not only will they shift homefield in their favor, but it would knock Beckett off that pedestal that everyone has put him on here in the playoffs.
2. STICK WITH WHAT GOT YOU THERE
The Rockies are supposedly toying with the idea of giving Opening Day starter Aaron Cook rookie Franklin Morales' start in Game 4. Bad idea. Morales is a big reason the Rockies are in the position they are in and Cook hasn't pitched in game since August 10 because of an oblique strain.
Do you really want that kind of uncertainty in a Game 4 of the World Series, when you will probably find yourselves behind anyway? I have no problem inserting Cook on the roster, but use him as a long reliever. Do not give him a start.
3. GET TROY TULOWITZKI AND TODD HELTON GOING
It is amazing the Rockies are in the position they are in considering they have gotten next to nothing from two of their biggest contributors during the season, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and first baseman Todd Helton.
Tulowitzki could be the National League's Rookie of the Year. However, he has showed signs of wearing down here in the postseason and is batting just .179. Actually it is kind of remarkable the Rockies are in the position they are considering the fact that they have gotten next to nothing offensively from Helton or Tulowitzki.
While he may be struggling with the stick, Tulowitzki could be the best defensive shortstop in the National League.
Helton had to wait 1,578 games to finally get to the postseason, but has struggled mightily thus far. He has just four hits in 26 at-bats and has knocked in only one run. While not the power hitter he once was, Helton still has some pop, and there are not many better with the glove than Peyton Manning's former backup quarterback at Tennessee.
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Jets can't blame Pennington for this one >>
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MySportsbook.com favors Bears, Bengals, Chargers and Colts to remain perfect
LAS VEGAS , Sept. 28 - Two big match-ups of undefeated teams have fans salivating at the Week Four schedule in the NFL. The Chicago Bears stifling defense looks to provide a less than hospitable welcome to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night in a battle of two 3-0 teams in the NFC conference. In the AFC, the San Diego Chargers (2-0) head to Maryland to face the surprising Baltimore Ravens (3-0) as both try to keep pace atop the conference standings. Betting Lines makers at MySportsbook.com, online sportsbook and casino, have set the Bears as 3.5 point favorites while the Chargers are a 2.5 point bet.
Of the three remaining undefeated teams, only one, New Orleans, enters this week's game as an underdog. Despite an emotional and resounding win over Atlanta on Monday night, the Saints are a 7.5 point underdog against the struggling Carolina Panthers. Indianapolis looks to stay perfect when they face the New York Jets as a 9 point road favorite while the Cincinnati Bengals are a 6 point favorite at home to the New England Patriots.
Six teams enter the week still looking for their first win, with a seventh, Tampa Bay, on a bye week. The prospect of dropping another game would not bode well for a potential playoff run. Since 1990, just three teams -- the 1992 Chargers, 1995 Detroit Lions and 1998 Buffalo Bills -- have overcome losing their first three games of the season to earn a postseason berth. And only the Chargers managed to accomplish the feat after starting 0-4.
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Will Ohio State continue to run the table in College Football betting odds?
MySportsbook.com favors Buckeyes, Fighting Irish and Golden Bears in this weekend's big games.
NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 21 - My Sportsbook NCAA football fans: things are beginning to get really interesting on college football's national stage. Following last weekend's "Separation Saturday", which included five teams ranked in the top 15 dropping games, the BCS Championship picture is beginning to take shape - with Ohio State leading the charge. And, according to odds makers at MySportsbook.com, the number-one-ranked Buckeyes will continue their winning ways this weekend.
Revenge will be the name of the game in Columbus this Saturday, as Ohio State looks to even the score following last season's loss to Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions. Although Penn State are listed as 16.5 point underdogs, they are 11-10 all-time versus the Buckeyes. Paterno and the Lions, however, will have to shut down Heisman Trophy favorite Troy Smith who has thrown for 769 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Speaking of revenge, Notre Dame will be out for some against Michigan State, following last year's 44 - 41 overtime loss to the Spartans in South Bend. The thirteenth-ranked Irish, listed as a 3-point favorite, will also be looking to avenge last Saturday's thrashing from the Michigan Wolverines. The Spartans, meanwhile, have won seven of the last nine match-ups against Notre Dame and are coming off an impressive 38-23 victory over Pittsburgh.
Out west, 22nd-ranked Arizona State will be battling for their first victory over 21st-ranked California since 2000. Although the Golden Bears are listed as 7.5-point favorites, the Sun Devils are 3-0, lead the nation in sacks with 18 and possess the Pac-10's leading passer in sophomore quarterback Rudy Carpenter.
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NCAA Football betting lines (home team in CAPS)
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Date Favorite Opponent Point Spread
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Sept 21 GEORGIA TECH Virginia 17
Sept 22 NEVADA Northwestern 6.5
Sept 23 MICHIGAN Wisconsin 14
Sept 23 Minnesota PURDUE 3
Sept 23 SYRACUSE Miami (Ohio) 6.5
Sept 23 MISSOURI Ohio 21.5
Sept 23 Louisville KANSAS STATE 14
Sept 23 TENNESSEE Marshall 22
Sept 23 CLEMSON North Carolina 16.5
Sept 23 FLORIDA Kentucky 24
Sept 23 Iowa ILLINOIS 20.5
Sept 23 FLORIDA STATE Rice 30.5
Sept 23 AUBURN Buffalo 41.5
Sept 23 BOWLING GREEN Kent 7
Sept 23 NAVY Tulsa 4.5
Sept 23 VIRGINIA TECH Cincinnati 27
Sept 23 BYU Utah State 29
Sept 23 OHIO STATE Penn State 16.5
Sept 23 TEXAS Iowa State 25
Sept 23 Washington State STANFORD 10
Sept 23 CALIFORNIA Arizona State 7.5
Sept 23 UCLA WASHINGTON 3
Sept 23 INDIANA Connecticut 1.5
Sept 23 Central Michigan EASTERN MICHIGAN 4
Sept 23 WYOMING Air Force 1
Sept 23 UTEP NEW MEXICO 9.5
Sept 23 West Virginia EAST CAROLINA 21
Sept 23 Boston College NORTH CAROLINA STATE 7
Sept 23 GEORGIA Colorado 27
Sept 23 ARKANSAS Alabama 1.5
Sept 23 BAYLOR Army 11
Sept 23 WESTERN MICHIGAN Temple 28
Sept 23 MISSISSIPPI Wake Forest 2.5
Sept 23 KANSAS South Florida 5.5
Sept 23 TEXAS A&M Louisiana Tech 23.5
Sept 23 UAB Mississippi State 9.5
Sept 23 LSU Tulane 36
Sept 23 Utah SAN DIEGO STATE 6.5
Sept 23 BOISE STATE Hawaii 15
Sept 23 Notre Dame MICHIGAN STATE 3
Sept 23 USC ARIZONA U 22
Sept 23 Oklahoma State HOUSTON 1
Sept 23 OREGON STATE Idaho 23
Sept 23 OKLAHOMA Middle Tennessee State 29
Sept 23 MARYLAND Florida International 18.5
Sept 23 AKRON North Texas 17.5
Sept 23 SOUTH CAROLINA Florida Atlantic 29.5
Sept 23 NEBRASKA Troy 23
Sept 23 SMU Arkansas State 6
For complete NCAA football odds and World Series odds please visit MySportsbook.com
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