July 10

Betting Corner
53-37, +427
3-1 yesterday.
Today
TB -158, Min -122, Col -144, Tex -111.

Raptors
Hedo now a Raptor. Got to hand it to Colangelo, he at least is making the effort to change the fortunes of the club. After making the mistake of pumping up last years team as the best yet, he set out to change what were obvious shortcomings. They still don't have the prototypical wingman, but at 6-9 or 6-10 Hedo can pose all kinds of different problems. Reggie Evans is a decent pickup and somebody who I think will capture the fans attention. Tough and aggressive, he will not allow the Rapts to be pushed around like they were last year. Speed may not be their forte but their first pick may help in that area. They are not going to be the Celts or Cavs, but they may be what they thought they were going to be a year ago, the best Raptor team since Colangelo arrived.

Leafs
Rickard Walin. Big deal? Just another warm body? Don't think he amounts to much but if he helps make the goalie a little more comfortable in his transition to the NHL, then that may be his biggest contribution.

Canucks
Cody Hodgson has been raised to be a pro hockey player. Everything he does is polished, and he has excelled at every level. Born leader, great work ethic, high hockey IQ etc. Now is he another Sakic or Alyn MacCauley?

Jays
Coming apart and not much going right. Just about the right time to pile on and we will in the coming weeks as they inevitable decline continues. I can be the biggest homer and go on about all the good things and try to build a case of how they could go on another run like the beginning of the season, but honestly the starting pitching is way too thin and Wells and Rios just don't look like two guys who are going to suddenly take hold of this club and carry it forward. I would love to be wrong but I think there is as much of a chance of passing any of the three teams above them in the standings as there is falling to 5th.

Starting staff of Halladay, Romero, MacGowan, Marcum and any of Richmond, Tallet, Rcepczynski or Litsch next year doesn't seem so bad. If Halladay were to be traded, one must assume that there would be a name to add to the list above. Even without Doc it could be a useful rotation if M & M come back to last years versions and Romero continues to pan out.

I realize the dollars and age of Scott Rolen, but isn't that the kind of guy you want on your team. Good D, try's hard, professional and prepared. Maybe across the diamond at first is where we should be looking to cut bait.

Was not a fan of Marco Scutaro, but the guy has won me over. With Hill those two must be the most underrated middle infield combo in the AL.

Really like Rod Barajas. Love the big smile at the end of the game when they win. Seems to have a good attitude.

UFC 100
One day away. Won't go off earlier predictions but I saw other fighters get interviewed and while they were learning towards GSP they didn't sound to convinced. That said they were overwhelmingly backing Frank Mir's chances. A large majority picked him over Lesnar, convinced he will get the submission again.