posted July 17, 2009 at 12:15 EST in Other Props
Betting Props for the Great State of Texas
by Charles Jay
Let's try some of these on for size:
1ST TEXAS TEAM TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP
Spurs +125
Cowboys +160
Rockets +600
Mavericks +400
Rangers +350
Texans +800
Astros +1000
Stars +1500
If no team wins a championship by the end of the 2013 seasons, all wagers will be graded no action.
The ROCKETS (+600 at BetUS) are quite possibly going to be without Yao Ming - from this point forward, so I don't know how good their chances are. The MAVERICKS (+400 at BetUS) are making a few bold moves, but they're still missing some ingredients. The TEXANS (+800 at BetUS) are a year or two away from being a serious contender, and that's only if they keep making progress. The RANGERS (+350 at BetUS) have the nucleus of talent on the offensive end, and the pitching has been kinder to them than it has in the recent past, but it's going to be tough for them, even of they get to the playoffs. At this juncture, I would still go with the SAN ANTONIO SPURS (+125 at BetUS), an organization that knows what it is like to win a title and isn't very far from being a top contender in the West. It only takes a break or two; a player or two, to change things, and the Spurs may have enough for one more big run. They've added some new blood, including Richard Jefferson, DeJuan Blair, Jack McClinton, Marcus Haislip and Antonio McDyess. That's a bona fide NBA wagering scorer and some role players. Hopefully Jefferson won't leave them at the altar.
TEAM TO FINISH WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE
Cowboys +125
Spurs +150
Rockets +300
Mavericks +400
Rangers +700
Texans +750
Astros +1000
Stars +1500
Team with the best Winning Percentage, MLB/NFL 2009, NBA/NHL 2009/10
Again, you have to consider the dynamics of the various sports. If you like the COWBOYS (+125 at BetUS), you'd have to believe that at the very least, they are going to be a challenger for the NFC East title, and even better than that. Remember, if the SPURS (+150 at BetUS) can win 54 games, the Cowboys would have to go 11-5 at worst to beat them. Forget the other teams. I like the Spurs over the ROCKETS (+300 at BetUS) and MAVERICKS (+400 at BetUS) because, well, they have Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony parker, and the others do not.
1ST TEXAS MANAGER-COACH TO BE FIRED
Cecil Cooper Ev
Wade Phillips +300
Ron Washington +250
Gary Kubiak +350
Rick Carlisle +600
Rick Adelman +700
Marc Crawford +800
Greg Popovich +2000
RON WASHINGTON (+250 at BetUS) could indeed be vulnerable; he's undergone a lot of criticism from Rangers fans, some of it unwarranted. GARY KUBIAK (+350 at BetUS) may be re-evaluated if he doesn't improve upon the 8-8 finishes of the last two seasons, You can forget about any of the basketball coaches. They're all fully capable and well-established, although if you wanted to pick one, you'd probably pick RICK CARLISLE (+600 at BetUS). For me, though, this one is easy. I am not looking for a big season from the Dallas Cowboys, and I know that Jerry Jones can be a rather impatient man. I think that if WADE PHILLIPS (+300 at BetUS) doesn't do something very serious in terms of advancing far in the playoffs, Jones would just as soon continue forward with someone else. There is enough coaching talent out there; he doesn't need to stick with a guy who is more or less a recycled coach. Hey, if he got rid of Terrell Owens he can get rid of a coach.
1ST TO WIN MANAGER/COACH OF YEAR AWARD
Greg Popovich +175
Marc Crawford +250
Rick Adelman +300
Rick Carlisle +350
Wade Phillips +400
Gary Kubiak +500
Ron Washington +1000
Cecil Cooper +1500
If no award is won by the end of the 2012 Seasons, wagers will be Graded No Action.
There are a lot of worthy candidates here. If we were looking at one of the NBA guys, I suppose we'd be looking at RICK ADELMAN (+300 at BetUS), especially if he can have a banner season with a Rockets team that is likely to be playing without Yao Ming and has lost Ron Artest. WADE PHILLIPS (+400 at BetUS) is in a tough spot because no matter what he does, how will he exceed expectations, which is one of the things you usually need to do to win the award? I say why not go with RON WASHINGTON (+1000 at BetUS), who could be in a position to win a division title with a Texas Ranger team that was not given a great chance by many people because of its lack of pitching. CECIL COOPER (+1500 at BetUS) gets an honorable mention here, because you know I think the Astros still have a chance.
WHICH TOTAL WILL BE HIGHER IN 2009?
Strikeouts by Ranger Batters -160
Strikeouts by Astros Pitchers +120
Well, the good news for Texas is that Chris Davis, who has 114 strikeouts in 258 at-bats, has finally been sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City, probably to save him from the embarrassment of setting the all-time one-season strikeout record. They also save themselves in this prop. STRIKEOUTS BY ASTROS PITCHERS (+120 at BetUS).
WILL ROY OSWALT BE TRADED BEFORE THE DEADLINE?
Yes Even
No -140
MLB Trade Deadline July 31st
NO (-140 at BetUS), I don't think Oswalt is going anywhere. Look - the Astros are a team that is only three and a half games out of first place. This is no time to being trading starters for prospects.
TOTAL RECEIVING YARDS FOR ANDRE JOHNSON
Over 1375 -120
Under 1375 -120
Andre Johnson is one of the genuine studs among NFL wide receivers. He had 1575 yards last season, and he continues to be the Texans' go-to guy. I don't see there being any reason that is going to change. He has drawn double coverage throughout his career, so that would be no shock to him. Now, however, opponents have to defend against running back Steve Slaton, which ideally opens things up more. As long as he stays healthy, we're going OVER 1375 (-120 at BetUS).
WILL MARK CUBAN BE FINED MORE THAN $50,000?
Yes -130
No -110
Odds of Mark Cuban receiving a Single fine more that $50,000
YES (-130 at BetUS). Why, you ask? Because that's the way Mark Cuban rolls.
