Handicapping

Rousey vs Mayweather

Wednesday, 2 September, 2015

Oddessa.com CEO and head oddsmaker, Joey Oddessa, makes Rousey the favorite in battle of the sexes with Mayweather

Women’s MMA superstar Ronda Rousey and polarizing champion boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. have been throwing jabs at each other for over a year now. Of course, these two aren’t literally trading blows but have been in a war of words through the media.

Their heated exchanges have sparked a wild fire of “what if”, with fight fans wondering just who would come out on top if these undefeated champions actually went toe-to-toe. A recent ESPN poll revealed that 78 percent of more than 10,000 fight fans think Rousey would win in a no-rules brawl with the man simply known as “Money”.

That fascination has bled over to sports betting and has clogged the email of renowned MMA and boxing linesmaker Joey Oddessa with requests for odds on the fictional bout.

“I don’t like fantasy bouts but the public likes to debate,” says Oddessa. “Well, as much as these two are arguably the most dominant in their sports of mixed martial arts and boxing, I would have to agree with the recent ESPN polls. Ronda wins.”

While Oddessa believes Rousey vs. Mayweather is a very long shot to actually happen, he would make the MMA fight odds on Rousey – the 12-0 UFC bantamweight title holder and former Olympic bronze medalist in judo – as a -250 favorite over Mayweather in a no-rules bout.

“I call it a mismatch because Floyd has one way to win: Avoid any kind of clinch and don’t let her take him down,” says Oddessa. “You ask, ‘should she be a higher favorite?’ Yes. But, the purpose of the price is to create two-way action. And, though this fight will never happen, a -400 price would leave books exposed as Ronda is great and has countless ways to finish the fight.”

Rousey is fresh off a 34-second knockout victory over Bethe Correia at UFC 190 earlier this month. That KO finish was impressive, however, it would be her submission skills that would likely do Mayweather in if the two somehow made this fantasy fight happen.

Mayweather made a mind-blowing $300,000 million in just under 40 minutes in his highly-anticipated fight with Manny Pacquiao this spring, improving to 48-0 with a decision victory. He is scheduled to face Andre Berto as a -3,500 favorite on September 12 in Las Vegas.

For more on this fantasy fight and the latest MMA odds and betting insight, visit Oddessa.com. Joey Oddessa is one of the most respected and outspoken voices in the sport of mixed martial arts, providing boxing and MMA odds for some of the biggest sportsbooks in the industry.

Week Three Preseason Handicapping Preview

Friday, 28 August, 2015

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Zack Cimini and Hollis Harvard Barnhart discuss week three from a handicapping perspective. Get insight on a couple of games as teams play their starters for longer periods in week three.

NFL Preseason Week 3 Handicapping Preview from Zack Cimini on Vimeo.

Nassib At CrossRoads to Show Backup QB Value

Monday, 17 August, 2015

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Organizations in the NFL can sometimes get away with hiding a positions depth due to an impact starter. The New York Giants have been able to do this for years as Eli Manning has been a durable quarterback. The backup quarterback role since the 2012 season has been Ryan Nassib’s out of Syracuse.

Nassib had many years under his belt as starter at Syracuse after replacing Greg Paulus in 2009. He was able to transform himself late in his junior season which carried over to a spotlight worthy senior season. When Doug Marrone landed in Buffalo, Nassib’s draft projections shot up to as high as a first round pick.

That didn’t happen but the Giants did draft him as a suitable backup for Eli Manning in the fourth round.

Each time Nassib has had brief action in preseason there has been little to write home about. He has had accuracy issues and does not seem comfortable yet with the Giants offense.

Even though the Giants did switch offenses last year, you’d expect Nassib to show a bit more of development in the pocket and take on the role a bit more as Eli’s backup.

It’s still early in the 2015 preseason but Nassib has to showcase his value a bit more in games two and three.

Eli, who is 34, is likely to get one more hefty contract offer from the Giants in the near future. That will make Nassib expendable when his contract is up as the Giants could bring in someone cheaper via the draft with a higher ceiling.

Nassib could still bounce around the NFL as a backup quarterback due to the veteran starters in the league and overall diluted backup talent throughout the league.

That’s never a goal of someone that has the tools Nassib does. It’ll be interesting to see how he finishes out this preseason and if he can finally clear that rookie hurdle and start to look like an NFL quarterback.

At this stage the Giants are unprepared if Eli were to go down for a length of time. If Nassib were thrown into a starter’s role it’d be a true disaster season.

Preseason Week One Free Play and Handicapping Tidbits

Thursday, 13 August, 2015

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Hollis Barnhart and Zack Cimini give out a free play between the Steelers and Jaguars on Friday and also give some handicapping tidbits for preseason football

NFL Preseason Week One Free Play and Handicapping Tidbits from Zack Cimini on Vimeo.

Tampa Bay Rays Worth Long Shot Money

Monday, 10 August, 2015

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It’s just about mid-August, which means the future market for the pennant is rounding into form. With an additional wild card spot it has made the odds market more interesting then ever. With teams bunched up all over the place it can be hard not to have tunnel vision when looking at the future market.

It’ll be interesting to see which teams secure a playoff spot and distance themselves from the pack over the next month.

There are currently ten teams above the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL pennant odds. They’re 40-1 to accomplish an AL title and 100-1 to win the world series.

It’s hard to look beyond the cream of the crop of which teams are hot right now. The Orioles, Yankees, Blue Jays, Astros, etc. have the players and manager that draw money attention.

I’m typically not one to follow the money at limited odds, especially this early in the pennant race. Value of the Rays is far too high on where it should be in my opinion.

Their hitting and lineup may not have heralded players but they get the job done. They’ve knocked around some of the best pitchers in MLB this year including Chris Sale and Corey Kluber recently.

With Odorizzi back off the DL it just strengthens a backing of such odds at this time.

It’ll be a hard feat to make the playoffs with all the talented teams vying for a playoff spot. But why can’t they get it done?

Currently the Rays are four games back for the second wild card position. If they were able to secure the spot, I sure don’t want to have that regretful feeling of missing out on 40-1 or 100-1 odds with Chris Archer deciding the wild card game.

Long-shot approved: Tampa Bay Rays—August 10th, 2015

Free Play: HOF Game Pittsburgh vs Minnesota

Friday, 7 August, 2015

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Hollis Barnhart has a free play on the opening game of the 2015 season between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings. Watch his take below.

HOF Game Handicapping Preview: Vikings vs Steelers from Zack Cimini on Vimeo.