David Ortiz was furious with Boston reporters after Tuesday night’s sportsbook loss to the New York
Yankees in the second game of the season for both teams. Ortiz took his frustrations and let them show when he was reminded of his poor start to last season, which was compared to his lack of any start at all through the first two games of this season. Big Papi lashed out with a cursive-laced tirade that included several profanities after reporters warned him in the Red Sox locker room that if his slow start to this season continued it would become a hot sports betting topic after what transpired to open last season.

Ortiz hit just .185 in April and May of 2009, hitting just one home run and 18 RBI. The Red Sox designated hitter finished the season with 28 home runs, 99 RBI, and .238 average, hitting progressively better as the season went on. Once again this season, Ortiz hasn’t been much of a threat in the heart of the Boston order, not that he has had much of a chance to break out of this early mini slump, still more than a week away from the NBA playoff odds being released.

Reporters asked manager Terry Francona, who has led Ortiz and the Red Sox to two World Series championships during his tenure with the club, whether or not he has considered moving Mike Lowell in to Ortiz’s spot. Francona simply reminded those reporters that it was just two games in, and that he hadn’t even thought of making any kind of move this early on. Perhaps they were the same reporters that were tired of covering the Tiger Woods’ Masters odds this week.

As opening day looms just a week away, while many teams are trimming the fat, sportsbook players are
salivating at the prospect of another season of baseball.

The Florida Marlins have announced they released pitcher Seth McClung, after the 29-year-old was unable to secure a bullpen job during spring training. In six spring appearances, McClung allowed nine hits and nine earned runs.

In other news, the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed pitcher Hayden Penn off waivers from the Marlins, who acquired him a year ago from the Orioles for Robert Andino. Penn was considered a highly-regarded prospect four years ago.

Meanwhile, after the Blue Jays released Joey Gathright Sunday following a poor performance in the Grapefruit League, The Orioles have signed him to a minor league deal. Gathright, who turns 29 in April, spent most of 2009 with Baltimore’s Triple A club. He stole 24 bases in 80 games.

The Milwaukee Brewers have a decision to make. With three pitchers up for their fifth starter job, fans of sports betting expect Milwuakee to release Jeff Suppan. Suppan, along with Manny Parra and Chris Narveson are all being considered for the job, but Suppan is an overpaid veteran at this point, and if they keep Suppan, Parra and Narveson are out of options, and Carlos Villanueva would have to be demoted, a move many do not expect the team to make. A trade is also unexpected, after reports have indicated that the Brewers have not discussed the possibility with other teams.