Archive for May, 2010

Roethlisberger Back With Steelers

ben-roethlisbergerIf you’re doing World Cup betting online, chances are you won’t come across a situation similar to what it going on in the NFL with Pittsburgh and Ben Roethlisberger.  But the Steelers and their quarterback will be reunited soon, although we don’t know for how long.

Commissioner Roger Goddell will allow Roethlisberger to join the Steelers for team activities next week, despite his six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct code.  If you haven’t heard, Roethlisberger was accused of sexual assault for the second time, and even though he wasn’t charged, this is happening too much for Goddell’s liking.  It’s been a rough offseason for the Steelers, who got rid of Santonio Holmes due to off-field problems, and the Steelers are coming off a season in which they missed the playoffs, which never goes over well in Steeltown.  The Steelers are now stuck with Byron Leftwich as the No.1 pivot until Roethlisberger’s suspension is over, although he can finish in four games due to good behavior.

So what does this mean for Roethlisberger and the Steelers?  Well, for starters, if Roethlisberger hasn’t realized that he’s messing up a golden opportunity by now, then he may be in trouble because Pittsburgh is a proud franchise that values their image as much as they value their championship history.  Being allowed back with the team will allow “Big Ben” to show his remorse, and that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of the team.  Reports have surfaced that Roethlisberger wasn’t that well-liked by his teammates anyway, but they dealt with it because they won Super Bowls with him.  But that doesn’t matter now, and we’re betting that Roethlisberger will bend over backwards to stay in Pittsburgh, a NFL Northbet Pick next season.

Hillman Gets The Axe In Kansas City

MLB betting players never thought much about Kansas City’s sports betting odds in the first place, but they’re probably in more disarray as they make a coaching change early in the season, or they could be somewhat saved.

kansas-city-royals

The Royals fired Trey Hillman on Thursday after losing 23 of their first 35 games this season, and took the fall.  The bullpen has been simply atrocious, blowing several chances for wins, especially for reigning Cy Young winner Zach Greinke, who has a 1-4 record despite having an ERA of 2.15.  It’s not all the bullpen’s fault either, as the Royals are 11th in the American League in runs scored despite being third in hits, they’re 10th in RBIs and ninth with 31 homers.

Hillman will be replaced by Ned Yost, who was brought in as special adviser of baseball operations in the winter, and he has plenty of experience as he managed in Milwaukee from 2003 to late in the 2008 season.  He has a career winning percentage of .477, which may not be encouraging, but the most important thing right now for the Royals is getting some confidence back in their young players.  The offense and the bullpen are the two biggest worries for the Royals right now, while Hillman will figure out what to do next.  He was a well-respected man in the clubhouse, but the results weren’t adding up enough to save his job.  Now the next Northbet prop on the betting block will be: who will be the next manager to go?