Day 48 Pick: Twins, Blackburn +122

Twins worked for me yesterday, so why not go with them again today. That is all....

Units: 3
Overall Record: 20-27

Day 47 Pick: Twins, Liriano +135

I can't believe I finally broke that losing streak. It appears the less I write, the better I do. So there...

Units: 3
Overall Record: 19-27

Day 46 Pick: Pirates, Correia +150

Hmmm....six-game losing streak = who the fuck cares anymore

Units: 3
Overall Record: 18-27

Day 45 Pick: Tigers, Scherzer, +110

This five game losing streak is fucking terrible. I might be so deep in a hole that I won't ever be able to climb out of it.

However, let's keep going with this ridiculous project.

Today, I picked the Tigers because...well fuck it. The better fucking win.

Units: 3
Overall Record: 18-26

Day 44 Pick: Nationals, Zimmerman -135

Nothing seems to work these past few picks.

Today, I looked for a pitcher that has been getting rocked and decided to go against him.

If this doesn't work, I may have to start making picks and go the other way (Jersey Jinx-style)

Units: 3
Overall Record: 18-25

Day 43 Pick: Angels, Haren -125

This three-game losing is putting the slightest damper on my vacation. But all I have to do is turn around and look at the ocean and all is cured.

Today, Dan Haren will be my man today. In his last five starts, Haren put up a 3-1 record, 3.28 ERA, and a 0.90 WHIP. Not too shabby in my mind. He better rebound from that last start where I went against him and won.

Units: 3
Overall Record: 18-24

Day 42 Pick: Indians, Masterson -130

A two-game slide wasn't the best way to start my vacation in Abaco. However, it pretty much mimicked the long ass journey it took for us to get here.

Today, I've decided to go back with Justin Masterson. He did well for me the last time I went with him and hopefully he can get me back on track. I've been liking Masterson more and more since picking him up in a trade. He better give me another reason to like him by the end of today.

Units: 3
Overall Record: 18-23

Day 41 Pick: Rays, Niemann -110

Not much time to write this as I am in between planes at the Miami airport. 

I decided to go with Niemann because in his past five starts he has a 3-0 record with a 2.08 ERA. On the flipside, Francis is 0-4 in his past five outings. Amazingly Vegas thinks that this will be an even matchup. I must be missing something, but whatever. That's what six hours of sleep over the past two days will do. 

Units: 3
Overall Record: 18-22

Day 40 Pick: Diamondbacks, Hudson -172

Today is one of those days where a bet doesn't really jump off of the page.  The bet that I actually liked the most was San Francisco with Cain on the mound.  However, I don't usually like betting on the Giants.  For some reason, I something always goes wrong when betting on teams that I actually like.  I'm already invested enough emotionally in the games that adding this extra factor usually fucks with it.  I can't remember the last time I bet on a Bay Area team and actually won.  Also, the Giants are going up against Shaun Marcum, who I own on both of my fantasy teams.  I cant bet against my own guys...it just doesn't feel right. 

So, today, I've decided to go with one of my other fantasy pitchers that is taking the mound today.

At -172, Daniel Hudson isn't exactly a steal.  It is not like the Diamondbacks are that sure of a thing offensively to keep Arizona afloat if Hudson falters in the slightest way.  With that said, Hudson has pitched masterfully his past 5 outings, collecting a 2-0 record while only surrendering a 3.55 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in those starts.  (OK maybe Im overselling that "masterfully" just a bit) 

The Rockies are actually riding a two-game winning streak, while Arizona is riding a two game streak in the other directions.  I have a feeling both of those trends are going to come to an end very soon.

Units : 2
Overall Record: 18-21

Day 39 Pick: Angels, Weaver -119

Whats that?  Im going with Weaver again?  You know it!

After watching Texas blow a 8-3 lead last night to snap its 12 game winning streak, I needed to go back to something that was familiar.  Jered Weaver has yet to be a bad pick for me, but by me saying that I probably just jinxed myself.

The Rangers are definitely hot despite their first loss in over two weeks.  However, I think Weaver is hotter (take that in a gay or non-gay way!).

Units: 3
Overall Record: 17-21

The Curious Case of Concussions: 75 Former Players Sue NFL for Fraud, Negligence

Concussions cause injuries to the brain? Really? Who would have thought that getting railed by a mack truck and having your head snap back like a jack-in-the-box would create permanent damage? [Please tell me you got the sarcasm in that]

Apparently, 75 former players didn't understand that their brains were in danger during their time in the NFL and now they want to be compensated for their loss.  According to the motion filled, "The NFL knew as early as the 1920's of the harmful effects on a player's brain of concussions; however, until June of 2010 they concealed these facts from coaches, trainers, players and the public."  

My question is, how is it that these football players did not know the effects of a concussion before the NFL finally made a statement about it.  The last time I checked the NFL was not the medical board.  Most doctors in any generation would certainly tell you that repeated shots to the brain, whether wearing a helmet or not, will cause some sort of brain damage.  

Day 38 Pick: Rangers, Holland +125

I should know by now not to talk about how good a winning streak is going.  All it does is guarantee a loss.  

Obviously, I have not learned my lesson today.  Although I am currently riding a one game losing streak, the Rangers are flying high on a 13 game winning streak.  When winning streaks get this high, it is almost wiser to bet the other way.  Participators in Vegas are definitely leaning in this direction, especially with Dan Haren slated to start for the Angels tonight.

I honestly don't know a thing about Derek Holland.  As I quickly check his stats, I am encouraged by the fact that he threw two complete games over his last two starts, both against division rivals.  Can Holland make it 3-for-3 on CGs against the AL West in back-to-back-to-back starts? One can only hope.  

However, all I really care about is that the Rangers make it 14 in a row and that they help me turn my ship back towards positive waters. 

Units: 2
Overall Record: 17-20

Day 37 Pick: Nationals, Zimmerman -150

Using my fantasy pitchers for the basis of my picks for this project seems to be working out well for me...so why stop while its hot.

Jordan Zimmerman has been lights out on the mound in his past five starts, rattling together a 1.60 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.  While Washington always seems to have their problems, the Astros appear to be much further in the dumps this season.  Happ in particular has put up a horrendous 7.92 ERA and 2.12 WHIP in his last five starts.  

Houston will definitely struggle to put up any kind of numbers against Zimmerman.  It would not be surprising to see them take this one in a blowout.

Units: 3
Overall Record:17-19

Celebrating the Life of Gus Figueiredo

The legendary story of Gustavo Jose Figueiredo began in Shanghai on March 7, 1921. Although records are spotty, it is believed that Gus was born with a deck of cards in one hand and a book of timeless corny jokes in the other.  As the youngest child in a clan of 15, Gus quietly marched his way through his early years, equipped with a quick wit, an unquenchable thirst for education, and that mythical deck of cards.

Throughout his life, this thirst for knowledge propelled him to the corners of the world, reaching admirable heights in practically every endeavor. At the ripe age of 17, Gus set out on his own to Manchuria to work for his uncle.  Two years later, Gus and his brother Jorge embarked on the 45-day journey from Shanghai to Brazil.  Upon reaching this new country, Gus found work at the American Chamber of Commerce in Sao Paulo and later at American Consulate in Curitiba.

Day 36 Pick: White Sox, Buehrle -125

"Mark Buehrle is no slouch!" Those are the now infamous words spoken by Kyle Mau during Jimmy's bachelor party.  While the debate on whether or not Buehrle is a Hall of Fame pitcher is still up in the air, he definitely seems like a good pick for today.

Although Buerhrle has only posted one win in his last five starts, a remarkable 2.10 ERA and 0.93 WHIP quickly grabbed my attention. 

Kansas City has lost two straight and should struggle to produce runs against the possible future Hall of Famer.  The White Sox are on a skid of their own, but the Royals should be the medicine that cures these woes.  

Units: 3
Overall Record: 16-19

Day 35 Pick: Diamondbacks, Hudson -150

Once again, Jerad Weaver gets me back on track. I should probably take him ever time he starts. 

Daniel Hudson has been on both my fantasy teams this season with varied success. He got lit the last time out, but Arizona has not lost two in a row with Hudson on the mound in his past 10 starts. 

Ted Lilly takes the mound for the Dodgers, which has been a rocky experience this season. Usually, I don't like betting against the Dodgers because they always find a way to screw me. Hopefully, this won't be one of those times. 

Units: 3
Overall Record: 15-19

Day 34 Pick: Angels, Weaver -124

Well, it appears betting big on a heavy favorite came back to bite me in the ass on more time. All of that hard work during my three game winning streaks vanished because Verlander decided to get rocked by the White Sox for the first time in five years.

Today, I'm going with Weaver (again). Didn't look at his recent stats, but I think he will own the A's in this first game of the doubleheader.

I need to shake off that enormous five unit loss and get back on that winning horse.

Unit: 3
Overall Record: 14-19

Day 33 Pick: Tigers, Verlander -200

It's been pretty rare for me to have any kind of winning streak, so I need to relish in the moment while I can.

I used to think that taking a pitcher at -200 or higher was an absolute sucker bet. Im not really sure why, but it always seems ridiculous to gamble such a high amount to get so much less in return.

I think I have now realized that its these pitchers that I need to focus my attention on. Although I am risking more units, I'm taking a much lesser risk by going with a proven winner.

Verlander has been lights out this season and he probably deserves to be a bigger favorite than what Vegas is giving him. His counterpart tonight is Gavin Floyd, who in my mind is abous as consistent as jello. I have him on my fantasy team and its a roller coaster ride with every outing.

Today, Im sitting him and going with Verlander.

Units: 5
Overall Record: 14-18

Day 32 Pick: Indians, Masterson -109

A two game winning streak has me believing that this hole I've dug might not be that deep to get out of.  

Baseball returns from its summer break today and I've decided to go with a pitcher that I just received in a trade on my fantasy team "Who's Barry Badrinath?"  Last week, I may have bamboozled for Mark Texeria and Michael Young for Josh Becket, Justin Masterson, and Coco Crisp.  Tex and Young were possibly my two best players, but I really needed pitching and SBs.  This definitely seems like a lopsided trade the more I think about it, but whatever....I'm in second to last place in that league.

Im taking Masterson today because I really need him to have a stellar start to bolster that trade in my mind.  If he has a great day, I win on many levels.  If he gets lit, then I might want to rethink doing any trades with those Marterello Twins.  

Unit: 2
Overall Record: 13-18

Day 31 Pick: World Cup Soccer, USA -109

The final day of the All Star Break means crossing over that line of gambling on women's sports. At least this is the World Cup and not some sort of WNBA game.

The USA woman have yet to lose to the French in world play and they sure as hell are not going to give in to those pompous bastards today. I haven't been following this World Cup at all, but I did see USA's comeback against Brazil. I'm sure that last second goal crushed my Uncle's yellow and green bleeding heart. With that said, all I have left to say is... USA!! USA!! USA!!

Units: 2
Overall Record: 12-18

Day 30 Pick: All Star Game, National League -110

All Stars Games are seriously a waste of time.  Just ask Derek Jeter.  He didnt find it necessary to make it to this year's despite being voted in by the fans.

The American League has owned this even in the past, but I think the NL still has better pitching.

Units: 2
Overall Record: 11-18

Day 29 Pick: Home Run Derby, Rickie Weeks +1200

There are only a handful of the days on the US Calendar without a game being played by this country's top four sports. Unfortunately, the days surrounding Major League Baseball's All-Star Game are them.  

For the degenerate gambler, this leaves us scrambling for something, nay Anything to lay our money on.  Luckily, the Bookie Gods create the non-sense know as "Prop" bets.  "Prop" should be inducted into the "Four Letter Word" hall of fame for the amount of bitter anguish that it inflicts all while waving the possibility of outlandish profits in your face.

With prop bets I like to shoot for the stars while risking the least amount of money.  So, why not root on the guy predicted to finish last amongst this tattered list of home run derby contestants.

If Weeks can come through big for me, it would erase a shit load of the fictional debt that this project has endured.

Units: 1
Overall Record: 11-17

Day 28 Pick: Tigers, Verlander -175

The ship is completely falling apart and it seems like a winner will never come.

For that reason, I'm going with the sure handed Justin Verlander. I need to get off the schnied fast and he has been a rock this season. Hopefully, this doesn't find a way to blow up in my face.

Units: 3
Overall Record: 10-17

Day 27 Pick: Mariners, Pineda -120

A three-day losing skid and six games under .500 has me seriously questioning how much longer I want to do this project. Can't quit, though. Need to prove to myself that I can consistently handle a daily task, and if I can't do it with sports and gambling, then there isn't much that I probably can handle. 

Today, the very last game on the slate grabbed my attention.  The Mariners face off against the Angels in LA and my brain immediately says to go with the Angels because they are the better team.  However, I looked at Pineda's recent numbers and was impressed, realizing why Vegas made him and the Mariners the favorite.

While Joel Pinero does have a 2-0 record against the Mariners the past three years, he posted an ERA a shade under five in these game, making Seattle an intriguing pick.  Whether or not intrigue turns into profits will most likely depend on those dreadful Mariners hitters. 

Units: 2
Overall Record: 10-16

Day 26 Pick: Cubs, Lopez +112

The blind pick didn't go too well, especially since the Astros could barely get on base let alone score a run.

Today is another gamble. Rodrigo Lopez was recently moved from the pen to a starting role, posting an impressive outing against the White Sox (7.0 IP, 2H, 3K). However, with very few starts to go off of, it is hard to get a good feel on him.

Lopez's last start against the Pirates went pretty well, going six and only giving up one run, which is a bit comforting.

Pittsburgh is always good for a loss, even if Vegas thinks they are the favorite.

Units: 2
Overall Record: 10-15

Comparing the Giants' Pitchers to the Characters of HBO's Entourage

HBO's Entourage embarks on it's final season this July and what better way to honor my favorite summer television show then by comparing this eclectic cast with players from my favorite summer sports team.

For those that have never seen Entourage (where the hell have you been? go out and rent all 7 seasons now) the show is based on five main characters.  Coincidentally, almost every single major league starting pitching rotation has the same number. You do the math.

Let's see how this plays out.  

Day 25 Pick: Astros, Happ +125

This is what I like to call a "blind pick".  Nothing really jumped off the page today and I was not really interested in doing thorough research on the probable pitchers.

I've always liked J.A. Happ, but really have no idea how he is trending the past few weeks. Both the Marlins and the Astros are about as inconsistent as a water bucket with holes, which really makes this game a toss up in my mind.

I believe Florida won the game last night (once again too lazy to check).  If this is so, odds are they can't do it on back-to-back nights.

Units: 2
Overall Record: 10-14

Day 24 Pick: Yankees, Hughes -108

I normally do not like taking a pitcher his first time back off of the DL.  There is always a great chance that he will struggle to find his command.  With stamina and pitch counts often the biggest concern with these retuning pitcher, a decent bullpen is important to carry the team past the finish line. I think New York's pen and potentially explosive hitting holds it's weight on this pick.

However, I didn't necessarily pick this game for the pitching matchup. As the rubber match of this series, I think the Yankees have the wherewithal to pull out the series victory. If it was any other pitcher for the Yankees this line would be skewed much heavier towards the pinstripes. I hope to take advantage of this meager line despite my concerns with Hughes. 

Unit: 2
Overall Record: 10-13

JD's Docket: A Brief Response to Casey Anthony's Verdict

"Unbelievable." "An outrage!" "The Justice System is a joke."

Those were just some of the many posts by people on my Facebook talking about Casey Anthony's  not guilty verdict.

I hardly consider myself an expert in this case as I did not follow it throughout any part of the trial.  However, as a law student, I feel a certain duty to form some sort of opinion on this highly publicized legal story.

Casey Anthony After a few Too Many

The facts of the case are horrific. Whether it was murder or an accident, the life of Caylee Anthony  was unnecessarily cut short and someone is responsible for this negligent act.

The prosecution did an excellent job of portraying Casey as a terrible mom that loved to party and apparently could have cared less that her child had died.  Plus, the bevy of lies told by Anthony to the police raised even more doubts about her character.  

However, the defense's story painted a version where Caylee accidentally drowned and Anthony's warped sense of reality caused her to wait over a month before revealing what had happen to her child.  This planted invaluable seeds of reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury. With the burden of proof resting heavily on the prosecution, they could not substantially prove anything other than that Anthony was a profuse liar with parenting issues.  Their case relied strictly on circumstantial evidence, which has a tendency to confuse the common juror.  

Unlike the rest of the world, the jurors were probably just like me, unaware that this dreadful act had even occurred. They probably were not glued to the many opinions about Anthony on CNN, Fox News, Twitter, and the such.  Like most people doing their civic duty, they hopefully followed the juror instructions which provide them with the specific elements that classified an act as murder.

Marrying the facts to the law was the first thing that I learned at law school and this seems like an excellent example of that early lesson.  The jury was provided with facts by both the prosecution and the defense.  They then compared those facts to Florida's murder law and decided that there wasn't enough there for a conviction.

The jurors are not the ones to blame for letting this possible murderer off of the hook. The State's lawyers failed to make a clear case that Anthony was truly guilty of intentionally killing her child.  If the undeniable facts were there, then it would have been a slam dunk.  But apparently they were not.

It can be difficult to take the side of a possible murderer, especially when the death of a child is involved. However, every citizen deserves their day in court and to be unbiasedly judged by a jury of their peers.

Did Anthony get away with murder? Probably. However, the "smoking gun" was never found, giving the jury reasonable doubt, and leaving us with the illusion that justice was not served.

Day 23 Pick: Mariners, Hernandez -106

Yesterday, my return to baseball was far from spectacular. The Yankees could not capitalize from Derek Jeter's first game back, pushing me further down the hole of despair.

Today, I am going with Felix Hernandez. Against Oakland this season "The Cat" has posted two wins and a pristine 1.08 ERA. Oakland's hitters seem baffled by Hernandez, filling the box score with a horrendous .161 batting average.

This seems like such an obvious pick, considering Hernandez's success when facing the A's and Cahill's pre-Inter League follies. However, when gambling there is never an easy pick.

Units: 3
Overall Record: 9-13

Day 22 Pick: Yankees, Burnett, -122

The week of Wimbledon betting is finally over. When all was said and done, my record on the green grass was a shade under .500, but the unit depletion ended up hurting the most. This week, it's back to baseball and it will pretty much be all baseball until the U.S. Open.

Today, we are going to go with A.J. Burnett and the Yankees. Despite some concern with the Yankees recently, I think their batting has a huge edge over the Indians and they should find a way to win in a shootout.

Cleveland has been volatile over the past few weeks and I fully anticipate for them to stumble again today.

Units: 3
Overall Record: 9-12

iPad! What!!!

Last night, my wife surprised me with an item that I have begging for for what seemed like centuries. After seeing practically every relative get one and the painstaking numbers of Apple ads touting it's unlimited capabilities, I am finally the extremely happy owner of an iPad.

My creative wife formed a series of notes attached to a string that led to the bedroom while I was spacing at whatever was on ESPN . When Wendy called me back, I completely missed the first note, but managed to figure out where this was leading once I noticed the string on the ground and saw the second note.

As I enter the room, I look up and find Wendy under the covers with the last note reading "Pull Back the Sheet". With the illusion of "maritals" dangling in front if me, I was immediately confused to find Wendy clothed. But then, I saw the second most beautiful thing in that bed...an iPad 2!!

Since then, the iPad and I have only been separated for a handful of waking hours. Wendy's final words after handing me my gift were "See you in a week.". Its amazing how true that statement is becoming.

While I have been using the iPad to post my last two #365daybettingproject, I wanted the first "story post" to be a HUGE THANK YOU to her. She is truly the Best Wife in the Universe and I am extremely lucky to have her.

Love you honey!

Sent from my iPad

Day 21 Pick: Wimbledon, Djokovic +135

My final pick of the Wimbledon tournament is really a toss-up.

Djokovic is playing like a pit bull, never showing any fear.  He will finish as the No. 1 ranked player in the world whether or not he wins this match against Nadal.  Which is a later strange considering  Nadal is No. 2. Even though DJ is having a much stronger season, this is a hurdle that he MUST clear. Otherwise, the accomplishment will definitely be bittersweet.

Nadal v. Djokovic is a legendary rivalry in the making.

Units: 3
Overall Record: 8-12

Day 20 Pick: Wimbledon, Sharapova -180

There is a saying that you should dance with the date that brought you.  I think I will go with this logic for my last women's tennis pick of the 2011 Wimbledon.

Sharapova seems like she is playing just well enough to finally capture her second Wimbledon title. I don't know much about the other "ova" that will be playing crosscourt from the former Champ, which is never a great feeling.

Let's hope Sharapova can finally get that "flash in a pan" monkey off her back.

Units: 3
Overall Record: 8-11