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Case of the Mondays: Brazil Exits World Cup, Host Nation Follows


by - 7/10/2018

Neymar Brazil Soccer

Brazil and France were co-favorites to win the World Cup heading into quarterfinal action this past week. Only one survived, thus denying a semifinal showdown between those two powerhouses. Whereas France took care of business against Uruguay, the Brazilians bowed out at the hands of Belgium. One day later, Russia saw its upstart run come to an end in front of the home crowd.

Odds provided by Bovada Sportsbook unless otherwise indicated.

Brazil . Neymar spent the majority of his World Cup rolling around on the ground in alleged pain. His team rolled right out of Russia with a 2-1 loss to Belgium in the quarterfinals. It was not quite a 7-1 setback like the one Brazil suffered against Germany in the 2014 semifinals, but a loss in the World Cup is a loss in the World Cup. For the Brazilians, any soccer tournament is title or bust. The Belgians jumped all over them with goals in the 13th and 31st minutes before holding on for a 2-1 victory. Belgium is a +275 third choice to win the World Cup.

Russia . In part because of a favorable draw and also because it simply played well, the host nation overachieved by reaching the World Cup quarterfinals. But the Russians had a chance to go even farther when they answered an overtime goal to draw level with Croatia in the 115th minute. That led to a shootout to break a 2-2 tie, during which Russia battled back from an early deficit before Mario Fernandes-the OT goal-scorer-missed wide on the third attempt. Croatia ended up breaking the hosts' hearts 4-3. The Croats are +135 underdogs to advance past England on Wednesday and reach the World Cup final.

San Antonio Spurs . It is the end of an era-again-in San Antonio. The Tim Duncan era ended with his retirement in 2016 and now Tony Parker is gone, having signed a two-year contract with Charlotte. Parker will have more responsibility with the Hornets than he would have with the Spurs, who wanted him back in a mentorship role for younger players. "Tough decision; tough three days," Parker admitted to Marc Spears of The Undefeated. "Tough communicating it all to Pop. But I had to move on. It was a very emotional conversation with [head coach Gregg Popovich] and (general manager) R.C. Buford. I will always love San Antonio. I will always be a Spur." Now the question is will Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili be Spurs during the 2018-19 campaign. Leonard is +700 to win NBA MVP (MyBookie.ag).

Sonny Gray . The Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball. But it is safe to say Gray is not one of the best pitchers in baseball. In his first full season with New York, the right-hander is 5-7 with a 5.84 ERA-the third-worst ERA in the majors among starters with at least 80 innings pitched. He lasted only 2.1 innings against Boston on June 30 and 2.0 innings against Toronto last Friday. Gray's stretch of three outings with at least four earned runs allowed is the longest of his career. "I am concerned, but we also believe in the stuff," manager Aaron Boone said of the 28-year-old. "We've got to try and help him right the ship a little bit…. I don't think we're considering [having him skip a scheduled start] right now. Part of it is right now we feel like he's our best option." The Yankees are +375 favorites to win the World Series.

Steve Keim . The Arizona Cardinals' general manager has been cited for driving under the influence on July 4 in Chandler, Ariz. Both Keim and the team acknowledged the situation but have not yet disclosed many details. "I truly regret my incredibly poor judgment and inexcusable actions," Keim said in a statement released by the team. "Everyone associated with the NFL and its teams is held to a high standard of behavior and I obviously failed to meet that. I sincerely apologize to our organization and its fans as well as to my family. I accept full responsibility for my actions and hold myself completely accountable." The Cardinals are +1500 to win the NFC West.

Simona Halep . It has been absolute carnage on the women's side at Wimbledon. An incredible nine of the top 10 seeds are already out, having failed to reach the second week. Four of the top eight lost in the first round and two others in the top eight exited in round two. So it was all set up nicely for Halep, the recent French Open champion, when she took the court for third-round action this past Saturday. The Romanian looked like she was on her way to surviving a tough one against Su-Wei Hsieh when she led 5-2 in the third set, but Hsieh saved a match point and stormed back to pull off a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 upset. Karolina Pliskova is the lone top 10 seed remaining, while Serena Williams-seeded 25th as she continues her comeback following the birth of her first child-is also still alive and well at the All-England Club. Serena is a +170 favorite to capture the title; Roger Federer is a -120 favorite on the men's side (BookMaker).

Harold Varner III . Seeking his first career win on the PGA Tour, Varner went into the final round of the Greenbrier tied for the lead. But he bogeyed the first hole and never contended, carding 1-over on each nine for a 2-over 72. The 27-year-old American dropped into a tie for fifth, seven strokes behind champion Kevin Na. En route to his second PGA Tour victory, Na fired a Sunday 64. Dustin Johnson is a +1100 favorite to win the British Open in two weeks; Tiger Woods is +2000.

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