Beltran ties DiMaggio on all-time RBI listBeltran ties DiMaggio on all-time RBI list
Astros outfielder Carlos Beltran tied Joe DiMaggio on the all-time RBI list with an RBI double on Friday against the Mariners.
Day: April 8, 2017
Letdown: LeBron, Cavs stunned by Hardaway, Hawks 114-100 (Sports Betting News)Letdown: LeBron, Cavs stunned by Hardaway, Hawks 114-100 (Sports Betting News)
As the jaw-dropping loss began to sink in, LeBron James sat on the floor away from his teammates, alone in his thoughts. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter as the Atlanta Hawks, despite resting center Dwight Howard and sitting three other key starters, stunned James and the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-100 on Friday night. Coming off a win over Boston on Thursday night, the Hawks outworked and outgunned the Cavs, who blew a chance to move closer to securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference with the kind of flat, uninspired performance that has become the norm in a disjointed season.
Widow of ex-Saints DE Smith sues his killerWidow of ex-Saints DE Smith sues his killer
Widow of ex-Saints DE Smith sues his killer
Play of the Day – Tim Hardaway Jr.Play of the Day – Tim Hardaway Jr.
Tim Hardaway Jr. takes the pass on the cut then elevates to throw down the massive slam in the fourth quarter of the Hawks’ win over the Cavs.
Golf: McIlroy rues cruel ricochet that leaves him five back (Sports Betting News)Golf: McIlroy rues cruel ricochet that leaves him five back (Sports Betting News)
If there was any justice, McIlroy would only be three strokes off the pace at Augusta National after he almost literally knocked down the pin at the par-four 18th. It’s tough because you grind all day and you battle hard and then something like that happens at the last … but I’m still in decent position going into the weekend.” There are plenty who fancy the world number two to secure the Green Jacket on Sunday, and with it the career grand slam, with bookmakers installing him as a 10/1 fifth favorite going into the final two rounds.
Golf: Rose looking forward to faster course on Day Three of Masters (Sports Betting News)Golf: Rose looking forward to faster course on Day Three of Masters (Sports Betting News)
By Rory Carroll AUGUSTA, Georgia (Officialsportsbetting.com) – Justin Rose said a couple of key mistakes kept him from having a run at the lead in Friday’s second round at the U.S. Masters and expected calm weather and faster greens to play to his strengths this weekend. The 36-year-old Olympic gold medallist from England was lurking just three strokes behind the tournament leaders after shooting an even-par 72 in gusting winds for a one-under-par 143 total heading into Saturday’s third round. “We have actually been quite lucky with the weather, with all the storms of Monday and Wednesday to have the course playing somewhat firm and fast is going to be a lot of fun.” Rose, one of the best ball strikers in the game, balanced four bogeys with four birdies, gaining strokes on both of the par-fives on the back nine.
Major moves needed at the MastersMajor moves needed at the Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Golf is often like a heavyweight title fight – you need to hang in there early and still be around to throw the haymakers late. At the 81st Masters, the opening two rounds have been dominated by Mother Nature – most notably wind gusts of up to 30 mph wreaking havoc on ball flight, putting lines and of course the potentially fragile psyche of those in the field when results don’t match the effort. It has meant those in the field have had to wear more punches than usual. Taking gut punches like Adam Scott’s ball blowing away from the hole before he could putt from 3 feet. Or uppercuts like Rory McIlroy’s approach on No. 18 on Friday that ricocheted off the flag and off the green. And near-knockouts like Jordan Spieth’s quadruple-bogey 9 on the 15th in Round 1, when the club didn’t match the gust. But those who survived can now regroup in their corner and come out swinging this weekend as conditions are set to get much milder. The winds won’t break 8 mph, and the sun and some warmth is due as temperatures reach the mid- to high 70s. The expected reprieve has players forgetting the grind and now gunning for the green lights and birdie chances this temptress of a course can throw at you. There are 15 players within five shots of the lead, and nine of them have won either a major or THE PLAYERS Championship. Seven of them rank in the top 15 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Four of them have won the green jacket. McIlroy, who is chasing a career Grand Slam, is one of them sitting five back. The forecast has him targeting a Saturday birdie blast. He says the aim will be “mid-60s”. While so far he’s been in defense mode, now it’s time to attack. “With the benign conditions, hopefully, I can try to make some more birdies,” the FedExCup champion said. “It’s just all been about getting yourself in position but I feel like I need something in the 60s tomorrow at least to get myself in there. “Obviously, it’s easier said than done around this golf course, but when you take advantage of the par‑5s, pick up a few others, there’s something in the mid-60s, and it would be great score to go into Sunday with.” Phil Mickelson will start four off the pace as he searches for a fourth Masters title and first win since the 2013 Open Championship. Usually a swashbuckling birdie chaser, Mickelson admitted he was focused on just finding ways to make par, and if birdie chances came he tried to pounce. Come the weekend he will return to his aggressive self, and he hopes without the wind messing with his putting stroke the outlook is certainly sunny. “I’m very optimistic I’m going to make a good run,” Mickelson said of his chances. “I struggled with the putter today. And a lot of it was wind‑based. The wind is having more of an effect than the break is. “Hopefully with calm conditions I’ll get that thing dialed in tomorrow because I’ve been putting really well. And if I can have a good putting weekend, I’m going to have a good chance.” Thomas Pieters, who is joined in the lead at 4-under by Sergio Garcia, Charley Hoffman and Rickie Fowler, admitted to being tired through 36 holes. After Round 1, he got home and “passed out” almost immediately. The Masters rookie expected more of the same Friday night, but having made it to 5-under on Thursday before falling back to even-par, his second-round 68 had his spirits soaring. The biggest smile was reserved for his take on the changing conditions. “My coach told me to please have patience this week, so I’m trying my hardest,” he said. “But I’m looking forward to (the easier conditions) a lot. Hopefully you can hit some straightforward golf shots … and make a bit more birdies.” William McGirt (-2), Ryan Moore (-1), Jon Rahm (-1), Fred Couples (-1), Justin Rose (-1), Scott (Even), Soren Kjeldsen (+1) and Matt Kuchar (+1) are others excited for the third-round bell to ring. And then there is Spieth. The man who was on the ropes with his quadruple bogey on Thursday but now sits just four back. He admitted to having “chills” just thinking about being in the mix after starting the second round 10 shots off the pace. But he knows better than most that you can’t get carried away with the quest for birdies. The par-3 12th hit him with a knockout blow last year when it appeared he was cruising to a second title. This time he expects the need to work the body, so to speak, as while the weather will get better, the course could actually get harder. “I think these greens are going to bake out … you’re going to see putting become a lot more difficult than it was, even though it was windy,” he explained. “I think the actual putts you have are going to be more challenging, because the greens are going to be a foot faster and they’re going to get a bit crusty around some of the hole locations.” While we don’t yet know which fighting style will prevail over the weekend, it is sure going to be fun to watch.
The First Look: RBC HeritageThe First Look: RBC Heritage
• COURSE: Harbour Town Golf Links, 7,099 yards, par 71. Now approaching its 50th anniversary, the Pete Dye/Jack Nicklaus venture remains a timeless test despite its status as one of the shortest layouts on the PGA TOUR schedule. Narrow fairways and small, deftly contoured greens combine to offer a strategic challenge, requiring well-positioned shots to generate birdie chances. Hundreds of live oaks and pines await to torment those who drive out of position – though last fall’s hurricane has left those areas slightly less claustrophobic. Harbour Town’s iconic red-and-white lighthouse behind the 18th green still helps vessels navigate Calibogue Sound. • FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 500 points. • CHARITY: The Heritage Classic Foundation, which has given more than $35 million to outlets in South Carolina and Georgia since its 1987 start. The foundation’s Scholar Program awards nearly 30 Beaufort County college students with up to $22,000 in aid. Other recipients include the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry and the Child Abuse Prevention Association. • FIELD WATCH: Branden Grace, defending his first title on U.S. soil, and former Heritage champions Matt Kuchar and Brandt Snedeker head a field that features eight of the top-30 in the world rankings. … England’s Tyrrell Hatton is the highest ranked player in the field at No. 15. Departing Masters champion Danny Willett is next. … The lineup does include four of the past five PGA TOUR winners heading to Augusta: Adam Hadwin (Valspar Championship), Marc Leishman (Arnold Palmer Invitational), D.A. Points (Puerto Rico Open) and Russell Henley (Shell Houston Open). … Five-time Heritage champion Davis Love III was a late addition to the roster, making just his second start since New Year’s. He missed 12 weeks with a broken collarbone from a snowboarding mishap. • 72-HOLE RECORD: 264, Brian Gay (2009). • 18-HOLE RECORD: 61, David Frost (2nd round, 1994), Troy Merritt (2nd round, 2015). • LAST YEAR: Grace overcame a three-shot deficit on the final day with a 5-under-par 66, grabbing his first PGA TOUR victory and becoming the latest to deny Luke Donald a tartan jacket. Donald took a one-stroke lead into Sunday, but spun his wheels while Grace posted five birdies on Harbour Town’s front nine. Two more from the South African pushed him to the front, while Donald went without a birdie after the turn. It marked the third consecutive time that Donald failed to close out a 54-hole lead – all coming at Harbour Town. He also was caught in Sunday charges by Snedeker in 2011 and Kuchar three years later. • STORYLINES: It’s the coming-back-out party for Harbour Town and Hilton Head Island, which suffered the worst damage from Hurricane Matthew’s tear up the southeastern coast last October. Thousands of trees were felled by the storm, and cleanup still can be seen on parts of the island. … Luke Donald, who owns six top-3 finishes at Harbour Town in the past eight years, once again pursues that elusive first Heritage victory. He has played those eight editions in a combined 63-under par. … Jim Furyk gives the event two defending champions, teeing it up at Harbour Town for the first time since his 2015 win. He missed last year’s edition after undergoing wrist surgery. • SHORT CHIPS: Since the Heritage moved into the post-Masters slot in 1983, just six men have won without spending the prior week at Augusta National. Four, though, have come in the past 11 years – Aaron Baddeley (2006), Boo Weekley (’07), Brian Gay (’09) and Carl Pettersson (’12). … Monday’s traditional opening ceremony overlooking Calibogue Sound will include a moment of silence and second cannon shot to honor Arnold Palmer, whose win at the inaugural Heritage is credited with putting Hilton Head Island on the map. … Five of the past six winners also happen to be RBC ambassadors: Furyk (2010, ’15), Kuchar (’14), Graeme McDowell (’13) and Snedeker (’11). • TELEVISION: Thursday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS). • PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. ET (featured groups), 3-6 p.m. (featured holes). • RADIO: Thursday-Friday, noon-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 1-6 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.COM).
Nevada books to offer prop bets on NFL draftNevada books to offer prop bets on NFL draft
Nevada books to offer prop bets on NFL draft
New surface challenges drivers at Texas (Sports Betting News)New surface challenges drivers at Texas (Sports Betting News)
Denny Hamlin’s instant analysis was an omen of things to come. “This baby is ice — no grip at all,” Hamlin declared on his radio after spinning out on the new asphalt at Texas Motor Speedway just 2:23 into Friday’s opening practice at the 1.5-mile track. Hamlin was lucky.