Logans.com bookmaker, Michael Perry, takes time away from the sportsbook to answer bettors' questions from an oddsmaker's perspective.
Tony (Los Angeles) - Hi Michael, good chat last week. Are people actually betting on the big favorites at Wimbledon like Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal? At those prices?
Michael Perry: Thanks for nice words. Regarding the tennis, we don't see big action on big tennis favorite for straight wagers. However, we do see quite a lot of parlays on big favorites as bettors try to increase their payouts.
Max, (LV) - Hardcore football bettors have the Arena League playoffs on the go and the CFL starting up. Which teams are seeing the most action so far?
Michael Perry: Max, you are a freak, but so am I. So naturally, I like the question. When talking Arena ball, the Philadelphia Soul are the public's darlings. When asked about his team's chances to win the Arena Bowl, Jon Bon Jovi responded with "We're halfway there" (Sorry, bad Livin on a Prayer joke). As for the CFL, not suprisingly, the two biggest decisions so far involved the teams that were in the Grey Cup (Saskatchewan and British Columbia).
Phil (Minnesota) - As of July 30, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have the best record in baseball. Is it time to start thinking about some long shot futures bets to score a big payout with some surprise teams like the Rays?
Michael Perry: I think you mean June 30, but if you don't and happen to be good friends with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, drop me an e-mail and we can maybe work something out. The Rays are for real and will be a force to reckoned with all season long. Kazmir and Shields is a lethal duo and if they add a bat with a little pop (how about Ken Griffey Jr.?) then they will be on their way to their first postseason appearance. That being said, if you like this team like I do, then bet on them now to win the World Series and AL Pennant.
Jimmy (Atlanta) - It seems like Kyle Busch is winning at least two or three races a month right now. Are NASCAR junkies cashing in?
Michael Perry: There are some bettors who stick with a particular racer wire to wire. Power to them, but odds are you wont make the money you should if you subscribe to this practice. The key to making good money on NASCAR is to recognize which tracks a driver prefers. I think too many people pay attention with what happens at qualifying and not enough at how the driver did at the same track in prior appearances.
Frank (Indy) - Thanks for answering my question last week. I think TJ Ford will be a breath of fresh air, though i wish we had kept Bayless. Question: A month from now we'll just be getting ready for the start of NFL preseason play. What are the hottest NFL futures bets going?
Michael Perry: Frank, glad to have you back. T.J. shows flashes of being a top 10 point guard, I just hope he can stay healthy. Think the Blazers got a gem in Bayless. We are getting a good amount of action on the NFC Championship. Not so much on the heavily-favored Cowboys (2/1), but on some of the second tier teams like Minnesota (7/1) and Phily (8/1).
John (Baltimore) - Do you think the Rays can keep up their winning ways and finally make it in to the postseason?
Michael Perry: John, please refer to the third question of the day from Phil in Minnesota. Personally, I do think that Tampa gets it done this year and makes the playoffs. The Rays remind me of Detroit a couple years ago.
Stan (Milwaukee) - With the All-Star break coming up who do you like as a sleeper team in the second half of the season?
Michael Perry: Not really a sleeper, but watch out for the Tigers to have a monster second half of the year. Too much talent on that team, playing good ball now and they will keep rolling. If you looking for a team that's off the radar now that should surprise later this year, think Atlanta. I really like their phenom pitcher from Curacao, Juir Jurrjens. Not like the soap Jurgens, because this kid is filthy. Bad humor aside, Atlanta has only played the NL West 15 times, so they get to feast on those awful teams quite a bit in the upcoming months.
Craig (Miami) - If the rumors are true that Cory Maggette wants to go back to Orlando, do the Magic have a chance to get to the conference finals this year?
Michael Perry: Orlando definitely has to be considered a top 4-5 team in the East. Might as well try and get a bet on them to win the East now (12-1), before any moves occur.
Top Bettor (Philly) - Can Chase Utley continue his pace and lead the league in home runs this year? Is it a good bet at 5-1 for him to hit the most regular season home runs?
Michael Perry: I don't really think there is good value there, considering he has really cooled off over the past month (only two HRs since June 3).
Fred (St Louis) - Will the New Orleans Saints bounce back this year and make it into the playoffs? And are they a good bet at 11-10 to win there division or would it be even better to bet them to win the conference at 8-1?
Michael Perry: Let's say you had $500 to bet and were deciding which one to do. I would put $400 to win $440 to win division and $100 to win $800 on the NFC. Diversify your betting porfolio. That way you wont be yelling at yourself, "Why didnt I pull the trigger on the Saints?"
John (Houston) - Will the Dallas Cowboys win a playoff game this year?
Michael Perry: Being a Vikings fan, I sure hope not. But I think they lock up home field advantage and make it to the NFC Championship game.
Jack (Toronto) - Does the trade for Jermaine O'Neal make the Raptors an instant threat to the Celtics for the Atlantic division title and the Eastern Conference Finals?
Michael Perry: The Raps' certainly have a formidable frontline now. Problem is Sam Mitchell seems lost at times and that team will always be an also-ran until he is replaced.
Steve (Sydney) -If Roger Fedrer and Rafael Nadal meet in the Wimbledon Final again this year will Nadal be able to beat Fedrer to capture his first Wimbledon title?
Michael Perry: No, just like Federer struggles with Rafael in Paris, I don't think Nadal will ever get past Federer at Wimbledon.
Dirk Nowitski (Germany) - Does the US Men's basketball team walk all over the rest of the competition in the Olympics this year on the way to winning gold?
Michael Perry: First of all, sorry about the Germany loss to Spain on Sunday Dirk. I was hoping for penalty kicks to decide another big soccer game, but it wasn't to be. I think the U.S.A. hoops team will take the gold this summer. I love the three point guards selected (Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Derron Williams).
Talk to you soon. Make your last bet, a winning bet.
To send Michael a question for next week's column, hit him up at Michael.Perry@Logans.com.