1
Bettors are going against the New York Yankees like never before in the Derek Jeter era. The Yankees opened with a season win total at 88, have been bet down to 86, and the money still has not stopped coming in against them.
They are also 18-to-1 to win the World Series, the type of preseason odds last seen on a Yankees team when Scott Sanderson was their ace and Stump Merrill the manager.
In the tough AL West, the win projections at LVH Superbook have the Angels at 92, Texas at 86, Oakland at 83, Seattle at 78 and Houston at 59.
We love this comment about Houston: “The Astros did nothing in the offseason to suggest they’ll improve. Not unless you consider the acquistion of Carlos Pena’s 182 whiffs and .197 batting average an improvement.”
2
Imagine this: The Seahawks are getting all kinds of off-season love for their acquisitions of Percy Harvin, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett.
Who else is getting good reviews? Try the Atlanta Falcons, with tight end Tony Gonzalez deciding to come back and the addition of running back Steven Jackson.
Kansas City needs to do a lot after finishing 2-14, but the Chiefs are getting kind words for some of the pieces in addition to quarterback Alex Smith. Free-agent signings of cornerbacks Dunta Robinson and Sean Smith, plus tight end Anthony Fasano and wideout Donnie Avery, are generally viewed as solid moves. The Chiefs also have the first overall pick in the NFL draft.
The Browns topped the list of not-so-good offseasons. Cleveland threw a lot of money at outside linebacker Paul Kruger and defensive tackle Desmond Bryant, but both players come with concerns.
3
It comes as no surprise Miami is No. 1 in all the NBA power rankings this week.
San Antonio is runner-up, almost most of the rankings feel No. 3 Oklahoma City will end up Western Conference champions. The rest of the top 10, in order, are Denver, Memphis, the Clippers, the Lakers, Indiana, Boston and Brooklyn.
Portland remained No. 18 in most rankings. Due to the strength of their remaining schedule, the Blazers are considered not likely to make the playoffs.
