Martinez happy to see Cleveland

Baseball Betting Lines

06/07/2010 -

CLEVELAND (AP) -Leading his 5-year-old son by the hand, Victor Martinez returned to a place where he had some of the best years of his life.

Martinez was back in Cleveland on Monday, returning to his former major league home for the first time since the All-Star catcher was traded by the Indians to the Boston Red Sox last July. Martinez's smile was as wide as ever during an emotional homecoming at Progressive Field.

For this trip, Martinez is staying with a family in Warren, Ohio, that hosted him when he first came to the U.S.

Martinez is surprised at how much the rebuilding Indians have changed since he last played for them.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Wwimustlotto Baseball Betting News

<< Near perfect game gives Galarraga AL weekly honor
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga, who had a perfect game taken away on a blown call on what would have been the final out, has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period

<< Cardinals' Rasmus claims NL weekly award
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus was named the National League Player of the Week for the period ending June 6. Rasmus hit .500 (11-22) with three home runs, nine RBI and eight runs scored duri

<< Logano, Harvick have at it at Pocono
Long Pond, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The next chapter in NASCAR's "boys, have at it" story of the season was written on Sunday at Pocono Raceway, with Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick re-igniting their feud. While Logano's teammate, Denny Hamlin, d

<< Hornets to introduce Monty Williams as next head coach
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Hornets will reportedly introduce Monty Williams as their next head coach on Tuesday. According to The Times-Picayune, the two sides agreed on a three-year contract with an option for a

<< Former UMass standout joins Toronto Argonauts
Mississauga, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Massachusetts tailback Tony Nelson signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in time for the start of the team's training camp. Nelson, a two-time All-CAA Football selection,

Bagged! Hall to get base, spikes of Galarraga gem >>
The Hall of Fame has bagged the key evidence from Armando Galarraga's stolen perfect game.The Detroit Tigers have told the Hall they will donate the first-base bag, Galarraga's spikes and a ball from last week's near-miss at Comerica Park.A blown ca

Celtics hold onto ball, steal home-court in finals >>
BOSTON (AP) -The Celtics were able to hold on in Game 2 because they held onto the ball.Boston committed 12 turnovers in the first half and just two in the second in Sunday night's 103-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. The win evened the best-

Major League Baseball No. 1 Draft Picks >>
2010 - Bryce Harper, c-of (Washington Nationals)2009 - Stephen Strasburg, rhp (Washington Nationals)2008 - Tim Beckham, ss (Tampa Bay Rays)2007 - David Price, lhp (Tampa Bay Devil Rays)2006 - Luke Hochevar, rhp (Kansas City Royals)2005 - Justin Upto

Indians activate INF Marte >>
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Indians activated first baseman Andy Marte from the 15-day disabled list Monday. Marte had been on the DL since May 15 as he underwent surgery because of an infected ingrown hair on his stoma

Red Sox place Papelbon on bereavement list >>
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox placed closer Jonathan Papelbon on the three-day family leave/bereavement list on Monday. No reason for the leave was provided. The 30-year-old Papelbon has a 1-3 mark with a 3.00 ea

NFL Football Betting


BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES

It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.

BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES

All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.

COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES

Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.

TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES

Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.

RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES

Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.

PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES

Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.

JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES

Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.

SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES

I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.

VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES

Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.

DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES

Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.

SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES

I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.

BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES

Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.

BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES

Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.

RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES

A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.

PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers

Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.

Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.