Betting on the State - Florida Sports Proposition Betting (Part 1)

LOOKING AT FLORIDA SPORTS PROPS

Two Part Series (Part 1)

Let's try some of these on for size:

1st Florida Team to Win a Championship

Magic +150

Rays +200

Dolphins +250

Jaguars +300

Buccaneers +550

Heat +600

Marlins +1200

Panthers +1500

Lightning +2000

If no team wins a championship by the end of the 2012 seasons, wagers will be graded no action.

You know, I'd like to think this could be the Marlins (+1200 at BetUS) because I see them as a team with a young starting rotation that performs now and can continue to perform. However, while they are well within striking distance of the National League East lead, I don't think they're quite ready to win a world championship. The Orlando Magic (+150 at BetUS) had their best opportunity last season, and the consensus among most people is that they over-achieved in reaching the NBA Finals. They have lost too many players for Vince Carter to be the guy who makes up all the difference.

I'm going to go with the TAMPA BAY RAYS (+200 at BetUS), who may not win the title, or even get to the playoffs, this season, but have the elements necessary to be a playoff contender for a long time to come, especially if they are able to keep together some of those starting pitchers, who are young. This season the bonus has come in that the Rays are hitting the ball a lot better than expected. They got off to a slow start, but they have been making up some ground. They have a legitimate chance to snag the AL wild card.

Team to Finish with the Best Winning Percentage

Magic +125

Jaguars +175

Dolphins +200

Rays +300

Buccaneers +800

Heat +800

Marlins +1500

Panthers +1500

Lightning +2000

Team with the best Winning Percentage, MLB/NFL 2009, NBA/NHL 2009-10

In this one I would have to go with the favorite, because I don't think it would be such a difficult feat for the ORLANDO MAGIC (+125 at BetUS) to win 54 games, or two-thirds. They won 59 last season. The Jacksonville Jaguars (+175 at BetUS) are in such a tough division that they'll be busy enough just to get over the .500 mark. The Miami Dolphins (+200 at BetUS) were 11-5 last season, and while I think they can be a better team, they have a tough schedule, with non-division games against the likes of Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Diego, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Tennessee and Pittsburgh. That could be very brutal. The Rays (+300 at BetUS) and the Marlins (+1500 at BetUS) would have to win 100 games or so to be in the running. Forget the others.

1st Florida Manager-Coach to be Fired

Fredi Gonzalez +150

Erik Spoelstra +175

Jack Del Rio +300

Rich Tocchet +350

Stan Van Gundy +500

Peter DeBoar +600

Raheem Morris +800

Tony Sparano +1000

Joe Maddon +1200

I don't think Gonzalez (+150 at BetUS) is a prime candidate to be fired, because if you looked at this Florida Marlin payroll, you'd realize that it is quite an accomplishment for them to be ahead of both Atlanta and the Mets, and hot on the trail of Philadelphia. I would certainly suggest Erik Spoelstra (+175 at BetUS) as a possibility, if for no other reason than because I can see a scenario where if the Miami Heat are able to make some beneficial personnel moves, and re-sign Dwyane Wade, there is always the chance that Pat Riley, one of the all-time front-runners, would choose to fire Spoelstra (in a nice way, of course) and reap the benefits of those moves. He has no problem abandoning the team when things are going horrible, but is more than willing to consider coming back into the ocean when the water is shallow.