It wasn’t shocking to see Europe dominate the World Cup again, placing four teams in the semifinals. After all, that continent features the best professional leagues and the most intense competition. But who expected a final four of Belgium versus France and England versus Croatia? France ranked among the pre-tournament favorites, the other three surviving […] More
By signing free agent center John Tavares, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the summer and became the betting favorite to win the 2019 Stanley Cup. But there is still one looming move this summer that could reset the odds again. Offensive defenseman Erik Karlsson seems destined to move from Ottawa to a contending team, either […] More
Free agent center John Tavares finally made up his mind. And when he did, he triggered a chain reaction that altered the NHL landscape for 2018-19. Tavares signed a seven-year, $77 million free-agent deal with Toronto, improving the Stanley Cup odds for the long-suffering Maple Leafs. He and incumbent center Auston Matthews will give them […] More
The World Cup rolls onto the knockout round without defending champion Germany, which opens up the bracket for more surprises. Its 2-0 loss to South Korea kept Germany from advancing out of group play for the first time ever. And this global power failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 1938. “We […] More
What happens during the next few weeks in the NHL marketplace could adjust the 2019 Stanley Cup odds. When elite defenseman John Carlson eschewed free agency to re-up with the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals for eight years and $64 million, he solidified their chances of repeating. The Los Angeles Kings got a boost by […] More
You can bet on one sure thing at the NBA Draft Thursday night. Center Deandre Ayton will go to the Phoenix Suns with the first overall pick. The University of Arizona star is a no-brainer to stay in state and give the Suns an inside offensive force. But after the No. 1 pick, things get […] More
After one round of group play at the World Cup in Russia, experts must reassess their view of the favorites. Defending champion Germany fell to Mexico 1-0 in what could have easily been 3-0 a loss thanks to its defensive breakdowns. Powerful Brazil settled for a 1-1 tie against Switzerland, with superstar Neymar absorbing foul after […] More
If many experts are correct, Brazil, France, Germany and Spain should advance to the World Cup semifinals in Russia and Brazil and Spain should play for the title. Sure, there are at least a dozen strong contenders. EURO 2016 champion Portugal with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentina with the great Lionel Messi and Uruguay with Luis Suarez […] More
Tiger Woods is not keeping a low profile at the U.S. Open. Rather than, say, use some Hilton points for his accommodations, he parked his $20 million yacht at the Hamptons in advance of this major. So he is not just another face in the field for this major. Although Tiger hasn’t won a tournament in […] More
Trainer Bob Baffert won the 2015 Triple Crown with American Pharoah and he’s guardedly optimistic that Justify can do the same. “You have to prepare yourself for disappointment,” Baffert told reporters last week. “We were quietly confident (with American Pharoah), but you still have to do it. You don’t know how the race is going […] More
For the first time in NHL postseason play, the Vegas Golden Knights have lost two games in a row. Hesitation crept into the their play against the Washington Capitals during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, a 3-1 loss. That put the Golden Knights behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, giving the Capitals a […] More
The Golden State Warriors are prohibitive favorites to dispatch the Cleveland Cavaliers and win their third NBA championship in four years. But LeBron James insists on having a say on that. But for a questionable last-minute foul call reversal, George Hill’s missed free throw and JR Smith’s last-second mental lapse, James would have led the […] More
