Mauer, Bay, Sandoval top list of baseball's most disappointing sluggers

Minnesota's Joe Mauer, with just 3 home runs, has been a big disappointment as far as his power output this season.

That's clear to the most casual baseball fan.

But let's quantify it.

Week 1 NFL point spreads generate some early line moves in Vegas

Several high-quality Las Vegas sports books have posted betting lines for the first week of the NFL season, and bettors have taken some early cracks at the numbers.

(Question for Nevada books yet to post Week 1 betting lines: What are you waiting for?)

NBA future-book wagering: Bulls attract support at betting windows in buildup to NBA draft

I suspect some basketball gamblers are speculating the Chicago Bulls will win the celebrated LeBron James sweepstakes, and that those bettors are stepping up to the windows to support their opinion.

Checking in on NFL season-win totals in Vegas books

Since NFL regular-season team victory over/unders were released in Las Vegas sports books this spring, the most noteworthy action has come in on the Denver Broncos, the New York Jets and the St. Louis Rams.

World Cup: The Asian Handicap, and the house edge in the three-way line

With the World Cup in full swing, American bettors have been forced to re-acquaint themselves with the Asian Handicap style of betting soccer.

It's simple once you get used to it.

'Conquering Risk:' New sports betting book offers invaluable info for an advanced audience

This early review is based on an advance copy of the book. I'll include further details regarding its publication in this space as they become available. Update: This review now reflects the book's subtitle. The full title is "Conquering Risk: Attacking Vegas and Wall Street."

It's telling that the authors of "Conquering Risk," an outstanding new book that embraces a rigorously scientific approach to betting sports, go out of their way several times to define their audience.

Here's a hint: They're not writing for novices.

Early on, they submit that their treatise is ideal for seasoned bettors who can already explain why Ohio State minus 45 points parlayed with over 48 in the same game is a profitable play.

World Cup betting handle in sports books

It's nearly impossible to determine the precise amount of the betting handle on the World Cup in Nevada sports books.

But here's a solid, if imperfect, way to estimate it that I have not seen anywhere else: