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06/27/2010 - Johannesburg, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain scored in a seven-minute stretch midway through the first half, and Argentina beat Mexico, 3-1, on Sunday at Ellis Park Stadium to return to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup.
Tevez added a second goal early in the second half and Javier Hernandez scored Mexico's lone goal in the 71st minute.
Argentina also defeated Mexico in the round of 16 four years ago, and will try to advance past the quarterfinals for the first time since finishing second in 1990, when it lost in the final to West Germany.
Argentina plays Germany in the quarterfinals Saturday. Germany advanced with a 4-1 win over England on Sunday. Argentina and Germany met in the quarterfinals four years ago, with Germany winning on penalty kicks.
Mexico was eliminated in the round of 16 for the fifth straight time.
The Mexicans enjoyed the better chances early, but Carlos Salcido had his long shot tipped off the crossbar by Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero and Andres Guardado curled a shot just wide of the left post.
Lio Messi forced a save from Mexico goalkeeper Oscar Perez, then Hernandez drilled a long shot wide right before Argentina seized control of the match on a goal that should not have counted in the 26th minute.
Messi and Tevez combined on the initial chance that led to Argentina's opener, as Tevez had the ball taken off his feet by Perez just inside the box. But the ball deflected back to Messi, who played a short chip pass to an open Tevez.
Tevez, who was a few yards offsides when Messi played the ball, headed it into an empty net from a few steps out. Referee Roberto Rosetti consulted his sideline official and players from both teams huddled around, but the goal stood.
Argentina doubled its lead in the 33rd minute when Higuain took advantage of a turnover by Mexico's Ricardo Osorio, who misplayed the ball just outside the area. Higuain took the ball into the box, rounded Perez, and slotted home for his tournament-high fourth goal.
Higuain nearly added another goal before the break, but Osorio got a piece of the ball just before Higuain's header, and the shot went wide left.
Mexico came close to pulling a goal back before halftime, but Hernandez was just inches away from directing a cross on goal from close range.
Tevez handed Argentina a three-goal lead seven minutes into the second half as he struck a 25-yard shot into the top-right corner that left Perez no chance.
Hernandez had a free header in the 63rd minute but fired over the bar and then a cross from Pablo Barrera was sent on goal in the 70th for Mexico but Gabriel Heinze cleared it off the line for Argentina.
Mexico did pull a goal back in the 71st, when Hernandez accepted a pass at the top of the area with his back to goal, made a quick turn toward the left post, drove into the area and then finished well to the near post from 10 yards.
Heinze made another fine defensive play on the line to clear a dangerous ball 10 minutes from time, and Argentina held on over the final 10 minutes for its fourth win in as many games.
<< Another Orioles comeback results in sweep of Nats
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Miguel Tejada knocked in the winning run with
a two-out single in the eighth inning, as Baltimore came from behind for a
third straight day to upend Washington, 4-3, and wrap up their three-game
interle
<< Leyland ejected while arguing call at first base
ATLANTA (AP) -Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland has been ejected from Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning for arguing a close call at first base.A day after umpire Gary Cederstrom acknowledged he blew a called strike three
<< New Hampshire added to 2011 IndyCar schedule
Loudon, NH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The IZOD IndyCar Series will return to New
Hampshire Motor Speedway in July 2011, Indy Racing League and NHMS track
officials announced on Sunday.
IRL chief executive officer Randy Bernard, Speedway
<< M's place Mike Sweeney on DL again
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Seattle Mariners placed designated hitter
Mike Sweeney on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with back spasms.
Sweeney, who also sees time at first base, was placed on the DL earlier this
month due to lowe
Parra and Lopez push Arizona past Rays >>
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Gerardo Parra hit the game-deciding two-
run homer, and Rodrigo Lopez pitched six innings of two-hit, one-run ball, as
Arizona topped the Rays, 2-1, in the finale of a three-game interleague set.
Lopez
Francoeur, Wright help Mets take series from Twins >>
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeff Francoeur and David Wright each had three
hits, including a two-run homer apiece, as the New York Mets handled the
Minnesota Twins, 6-0, in the rubber match of three-game interleague series at
Citi Fi
Moyer efficient as Phils rout Jays >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jimmy Rollins and Ben Francisco each had
three hits and drove in two runs behind another efficient start by Jamie
Moyer, as the Phillies took the rubber match of a three-game series against
the Blu
Kerr wins LPGA Championship; becomes new No. 1 >>
Pittsford, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cristie Kerr closed with a six-under 66
Sunday to claim a record-breaking 12-stroke win at the LPGA Championship.
Kerr, who is now halfway to the career Grand Slam, finished at 19-under-par
269. Her
Recently I had an email debate with an angry reader who said I did not understand "the science of oddsmaking", as he called it.
He said I was wrong for suggesting oddsmakers care about who wins or loses games.
"Oddsmakers only care about splitting the betting public 50/50 on both sides of the line and keeping the commission (a.k.a. juice)," he wrote.
He might have been right about not understanding "the science of oddsmaking". After all, I'm not an oddsmaker. That said, I stick to my assertion that oddsmakers (a.k.a. sportbooks) often do care about who wins games.
Granted, as a general rule, sportsbooks try to balance their action so that they're not exposed to big losses. However, there are times when this is difficult to pull off, regardless of how much a line has moved. There are also times when that general rule is ignored and a book pursues risk.
Generally speaking, it's safe to say the books in Vegas are risk-adverse. Unlike in the past when the wise guys ruled the town, Vegas is now corporate and the goal of most casinos is to make as much money as possible with as little risk as possible.
Thus, Vegas sportsbooks try everything in their power to balance the action. They're satisfied simply collecting the juice. But these profits are small, especially compared to the take from other casino games, namely slot machines.
Because the profits at Vegas sportsbooks are so small, you could argue that many casinos operate sportsbooks simply as a novelty to keep the tourists happy.
With a growing aversion to risk, it should come as no surprise that Vegas bookmakers have been panicking this NFL season.
Despite huge pointspreads, a disproportionate percentage of bettors are still laying their money on favorites like the Eagles, Colts, Pats and Vikings rather than the dogs (a common trend for the largely recreational bettors that visit Vegas).
And much to the dismay of the books, those favorites are finding ways to cover the thick chalk. In fact, prior to Week 7, the four teams listed above are a combined 16-2-2 (88 percent) against the spread. (The tables turned dramatically in Week 7, but more on that later.)
The result has been an early-season beating for the books, and a bonanza for bettors.
While Vegas increasingly hates risk, it's no longer a major player in the sports betting world. Most of the betting action now takes place offshore where sportsbooks are not as obsessed about balance. In fact, some books encourage exposure to risk because the rewards can be so much bigger.
Consider MySportsbook.com. On its website, the book has odds pages which actually display the amount of action it's getting on games. In other words, you can see how much action the book is taking on both sides of a pointspread, moneyline or over/under.
One look at these numbers and it's obvious MySportsbook.com does not balance every game. In fact, far from it.
Take last weekend's matchup between St. Louis and Miami. By game time on Sunday, 83 percent of the betting action at MySportsbook.com was on the Rams; only 17 percent was on Miami.
What's interesting is that MySportsbook.com opened the pointspread with Miami at +6 1/2. By game time, the spread had lowered to +5.
That goes contrary to the balancing theory. If MySportsbook.com had wanted to balance the action, it would have given Miami more points; instead, it took away 1 1/2. World Series odds are now up as well.
MySportsbook.com exposed itself to even more to risk, and rolled the dice on the underdog Dolphins. Why? I contacted a representative with the book to find out. His answer was simple.
"The line moved early based on 'smart money' from sharp players," said Jeff Gilroy, a spokesperson for the book. "We also knew from early in the week that we would need Miami, therefore (we dropped) the spread to encourage Rams money.
"At the end of the day, we liked the home team."
So the conclusion is this: MySportsbook.com respected the sharp action, and gambled that the sharp bettors had a better take on the game than the recreational bettors, who were hammering the visiting Rams.
In the end, the gamble paid off. Miami, desperate for a win in front of its home fans, pounded the overrated Rams, who are terrible on the road and even worse on grass. Final score: 31-14 Fish.
MySportsbook.com was also heavily exposed on numerous favorites in Week 7, including Philadelphia, Seattle and Denver. All three failed to cover.
The fact that sportsbooks are exposed to risk on certain games is really nothing new. The fact, that Sportsbook.com is willing to show the public where it's exposed is intriguing.
Armed with this type of information, bettors can make more educated wagers. They can get an idea where the sharp money is going and conversely where the public money is headed.
MySportsbook.com is opening up its cashbox, letting bettors look inside and challenging them to take their best shot at grabbing the cash.
To visit this online football betting got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting odds needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard
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