Against the Spread Blog

A lot of Canadians still head down to Las Vegas and Atlantic City to enjoy the casinos along with visiting border cities which have built gambling resorts within easy reach of them. However, while gambling used to be strictly forbidden in the Great White North, there are now numerous casinos spread out over Canada. Perhaps the downside to this though as that they’re all owned and operated by the government and the drinks aren’t free. The Canadian government has long operated lotteries though, and in some provinces these include sports-betting games where bettors have to wager on several contests at ...

The argument over which sport is better, boxing or mixed martial arts (MMA), is an ongoing one which doesn’t really have a logical conclusion since it’s all in the eye of the beholder. However, if you want to compare popularity, attendances, and television viewers, that’s a different story. And while we’re at it, let’s also throw in wagering. When MMA first got off the ground and fans were wondering what these funny-looking caged octagons were, they didn’t really know what to make of the sport. But over the years, and especially since the UFC was launched, it’s undoubtedly become one ...

There aren’t very many fence sitters when it comes to ageless boxer Bernard Hopkins. Most fans either love him or hate him. He grates on a lot of peoples’ nerves because of his constant whining when being shortchanged on decisions in bouts, even though the losses were thoroughly deserved. I’ve seen Hopkins throw 12 punches a round on average and then still have the audacity to claim he should have been declared the winner. His two consecutive middleweight title losses to Jermain Taylor back in 2005 were perfect examples of this. He’s consistently boring and to make matters worse, isn’t ...

It’s punch, counter-punch today in the NFC West as the 49ers have swung a deal with the Ravens to acquire Anquan Boldin in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. As with the trade of Harvin to Seattle, this moves creates a ripple effect in dynasty leagues. Let’s take a look at the key players whose values need to be reviewed after this move: Anquan Boldin, WR SF Boldin is a physical, no nonsense player who fits perfectly within the scheme and philosophy of the “other” Harbaugh’s team. There’s no question he’ll add elements of toughness, ...

Keeping right along with the 2013 NFL free agency, the Top 5 RB free agents is next on our list. This is where you’ll find the Top 5 WR Free Agents. The Top 5 RB free agents are pretty easy to identify. The only real issue is figuring out who is the best option to round out at “number five.” After that, the floor literally drops in regard to overall talent. The RB free agency, however, should attract plenty of customers either way. Each of the RB needy teams possess unique desires which could make for some interesting acquisitions. Side ...

The Harlem Shake craze/fad/dance is annoying to some but to most it’s an interesting watermark on pop culture as it stands in 2013. As with anything, athletes are not immune to shaping the culture. These 10 videos represent a cross-section of the most relevant, imaginative and hilarious shakes available. There are certainly more to come but in the meantime, this is the creme of the crop. #10 Denver Nuggets This effort was led by JaVale McGhee and is one of the latest entries into the dance party. It has all the elements of a classic Harlem Shake routine. It’s starts ...

by Joel Held 1) Since 1950, only seven teams who lost in the previous year’s Finals won the next year, and only one (the Lakers in 2009) has done so in the past 20 years. As you may recall, Miami was runner-up last year. 2) Since 2000, 9 of 12 teams who have won Game 1 of the NBA Finals ultimately won the series. Miami has been involved in two of those three series: last year and in 2006. 3) The Thunder only have three players (Derek Fisher, Nazr Mohammed, and Kendrick Perkins) who have played in the Finals before, ...

By Jeff Moore I attended a minor league baseball game over the weekend because in the non-degenerate part of my life I’m an established baseball writer who covers prospects. While I actually go for the baseball game, I’m in a larger minority than intelligence on The Bachelor. A minor league baseball game is essentially a carnival with flying objects. If you’re actually going for the baseball, then enjoy. It’s a wonderful way to watch the game. But more than likely, you’re going with a group or taking your kids. And if that’s the case, you’re going to need some entertainment ...

By Joey Held The MLB regular season is a long and arduous process. And sure, if you’re a fan of a team that’s started off poorly, things might be a little tense right now. But it’s okay—there’s plenty of time left to turn things around. So just relax, and keep yourself sane (and possibly rich) with these prop bets you can make with your friends and/or enemies during any game this year. The Next Pitch’s MPH Will Start With an Even Number Statistically, you would think the odds are better that this should be…well, an odd number. After all, very ...

By Rick Rockwell On April 18th, Tim Tebow was named to TIME magazine’s annual list of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World”. Despite the prominent tribute from TIME Magazine, and the numerous other accolades, there’s a huge question that the diehard New York Jets fans and the Tebow critics still want answered. Can Tim Tebow be influential in helping the Jets win football games? On March 22nd, the Jets shocked the football world, and their rabid fan base, by trading for the polarizing QB who was coming off a season where he rallied a franchise, a city, and ...