Rays tab Shelton as hitting coach

Baseball Betting Lines

10/21/2009 - St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays have named Derek Shelton as the team's new hitting coach.

"Derek has proven himself to be one of the better minds in baseball when it comes to hitting," Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. "He brings a fresh voice that can help our talented core of hitters reach new heights. His attention to detail and ability to communicate will be great additions to our group."

The 39-year-old Shelton spent the past five seasons as hitting instructor for the Cleveland Indians. He coached in Cleveland's organization for seven years, also serving as hitting coordinator. Shelton had a six-season coaching tenure with the New York Yankees, managing in the minor leagues and earning a pair of league championships in 2001 and 2002.

The hiring of Shelton comes after it was announced earlier this month that hitting coach Steve Henderson's contract would not be renewed. Henderson had served as hitting instructor for the Rays since 2006.

Blcakjack Baseball Betting News

<< Kiffin signs contract
Knoxville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Tennessee head football coach Lane Kiffin has officially signed his contract. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported Tuesday that Kiffin was delayed in signing the agreement due to

<< Longhorns and Tigers collide in Columbia
Columbia, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The third-ranked Texas Longhorns make the trip to Columbia this week to take on the Missouri Tigers in a key Big 12 tussle. Mack Brown's Longhorns took a huge step toward a Big 12 title, with last weekend's 16

<< Top-ranked Crimson Tide ready to roll over Volunteers
Tuscaloosa, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Taking over the top spot in the national polls this week, the Alabama Crimson Tide will put their lofty standing in harm's way, as they welcome the Tennessee Volunteers to Tuscaloosa for an SEC showdown at Brya

<< Ducks and Huskies clash in Pac-10 tussle
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Following a week off, the conference-leading Oregon Ducks get back to work this weekend, when they take on the Washington Huskies in a Pac-10 tussle in the Pacific Northwest. Chip Kelly's tenure in Eugene did n

<< 17th-ranked Cougars set to pounce on Mustangs
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 17th-ranked Houston Cougars are set to play their first home game in nearly a month, as they square off against the SMU Mustangs in Conference USA action this weekend at Robertson Stadium. The Cougars wrapp

Nationwide Tour adds new event in Jacksonville >>
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Nationwide Tour has announced a new event for next season, adding the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open to the schedule for 2010. The event will be played in October on the Dye's Valley

CFL Previews - Week 17 - October 23-24 >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (6-9) AT TORONTO ARGONAUTS (3-12) DATE & TIME: Friday, October 23, 7:00 p.m. (et). GAME NOTES: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats try to snap a six-game road losing streak on Friday nigh

Safin upsets Davydenko in Moscow >>
Moscow, Russia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Unseeded Marat Safin toppled top-seeded fellow Russian Nikolay Davydenko in opening-round action Wednesday at the $1.08 million Kremlin Cup tennis event. The former world No. 1 Safin, who expects

Browns sign TE Gaines >>
Berea, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Browns have signed tight end Michael Gaines. Gaines was released by the Bears last week after seeing action in only one game this season. The sixth-year pro played in 16 games last year

Michigan AD Martin to retire in 2010 >>
Ann Arbor, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - University of Michigan director of athletics Bill Martin will retire from his position on September 4, 2010, he announced Wednesday. Martin notified school president Mary Sue Coleman with a le

Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

About MySportsbook.com MySportsbook.com  is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best US Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your basketball sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.