12/03/2008 - St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tampa Bay Rays closer Troy Percival underwent back surgery this week and is expected to be ready by opening day for the American League champions.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Robert Watkins in California on Tuesday and was deemed successful.
Three stints on the disabled list limited Percival, 39, to just 50 games last season and kept the veteran right-hander off the Rays' postseason roster. He posted a 2-1 record with a 4.53 earned run average and led the team with 28 saves in 32 opportunities.
Percival ranks eighth all-time in saves with 352.
<< Vikings sign DT Kennedy
Eden Prairie, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One day after defensive tackles Pat
Williams and Kevin Williams were among six players suspended four games for a
violation of the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances,
the Min
<< Report: Tuberville era ends at Auburn
Birmingham, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tommy Tuberville will reportedly no longer
be roaming the sideline for the Auburn Tigers football team.
The report, from the Birmingham News on Wednesday, did not indicate whether
the longtime coach w
<< Wie five back after first round of Q School
Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shiho Oyama, ranked 42nd in the Rolex
Rankings, fired an eight-under 64 on Wednesday to take the first-round lead of
the 90-hole LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.
Amateur Mika Miyazato shot a six-unde
<< Mariners name pitching, bullpen coaches
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Seattle Mariners Wednesday named Rick Adair
pitching coach and John Wetteland bullpen coach.
The two additions to new manager Don Wakamatsu's 2009 staff join bench coach
Ty Van Burkleo and first base coac
Trio leads PGA Tour Q School >>
La Quinta, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Major Manning, Craig Kanada and Joey Lamielle
each fired rounds of seven-under 65 on Wednesday to share the opening-round
lead of the Final Stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School.
Mark Brooks, the 1996 PGA Ch
Around FCS: Take Two >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Veteran Villanova coach Andy Talley was in
a contemplative mood as he considered a rematch with James Madison, following
the Wildcats' 55-28 playoff victory over Colgate on Saturday.
"Very rarely in life d
Cards sign lefty reliever Miller >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals signed left-handed
reliever Trever Miller to a one-year contract on Wednesday. Financial
terms of the deal were not released.
The 35-year-old Miller appeared in 68 games
Nash, Shaq out against Hornets >>
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Suns were without two key
components on Wednesday, as neither center Shaquille O'Neal nor point guard
Steve Nash were in uniform against the Hornets.
Nash, who missed a game last w
American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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