The Texas Rangers’ World Series odds slip to the back of our minds as we watch their competition compete in the ALCS, so Dallas Sports fans’ focus turns to the hardwood and the ice this week. Let’s chase down our teams and see what’s new.

Dallas Mavericks

The preseason news is good for the Mavs, as they’ve now won four straight games. Plenty of things are looking up for the Mavs. Not fulfilling World Championship, Olympic or German National team obligations for the first time in years, Dirk Nowitzki is fresh as can be. He’s shooting 63 per cent from the floor. Online betting fans will warn you that stats like those don’t matter, but it’s certainly encouraging to see Dirk rejuvenated.

The Mavs even have a special plan to get the most out of Erik Dampier and Drew Gooden, who are penciled in as “co-starters” at center. Head coach Rick Carlisle plans to play Dampier against the giants and Gooden against average-sized centers.

Dallas Stars

The Stars aren’t perfect like the Broncos’ NFL odds but they’re pesky so far, opening the year 3-2-3. Blended between disappointing losses to L.A. and Boston were a 6-0 beating of the Nashville Predators and a very impressive 4-3 win at Chicago. Thanks to a mix of veteran and youth offense, the Stars are averaging more than three goals per game. Brenden Morrow and Brad Richards are bouncing back to elite scoring levels after missing time to injury last year; Mike Ribeiro seems poised to produce at a point-per-game clip for the third straight year; youngsters Jamie Benn and James Neal continue to surprise, each tallying seven points in eight games.

The news isn’t all good; longtime Dallas stalwarts and Stanley Cup champions Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen both landed on injured reserve this week – Modano with a rib injury and Lehtinen with a groin injury.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers are determined to boost their World Series odds for next year and have already started working on 2010. They sent blue-chip pitcher Derek Holland to Japan to help court Japanese pitching prospect Yusei Kikuchi, an 18-year-old whose electric arsenal reportedly includes 96 MPH heat.

Kikuchi reportedly showed genuine interest in pitching for a Major League Club and Holland said he felt the meeting went well. Only time will tell if the Rangers add Japanese flavor to their rotation for next season.

While the Cowboys’ NFL odds (8.5-point favorite) didn’t deliver – how did the Chiefs play our boys that tough? – They at least emerged with a “W” over the weekend. Let’s catch up with the rest of our Dallas Sports teams.

Dallas Mavericks

It’s only preseason, yes, but it’s always nice to see the Mavs in the win column. After losing a squeaker in their opener, they’ve rattled off consecutive wins. First, Dallas downed the Washington Wizards 123-115 in a road contest. Five Mavs scored 14 or more points – including surprising newcomer Kris Humphries – and Shawn Marion led the way with 26 on 11/15 shooting.

Next up, the Mavericks downed Memphis 114-107 and Humphries was the big story again. He had 16 points and nine boards in just 21 minutes of play; he’s making the case for a bigger role than he had as a Toronto Raptor.

Dallas Stars

If there’s an early message for hockey fans and sportsbook bettors this season in the Lone Star State, it’s that the Kids Are All Right. I’m betting management and owner Tom Hicks hoped the youth movement would be ahead of schedule after Dallas did little to improve via free agency this offseason and, so far, the hopes are being answered. The Stars have won just one of their first four games but haven’t lost in regulation. Youngsters James Neal and Jamie Benn have been bright spots, combining for four goals and seven points over that span.

Texas Rangers

As the Rangers’ offseason begins, it appears they’ll let several big-name players walk in free agency. Hank Blalock, once a cornerstone of the franchise, simply has too many holes in his swing and can’t hit lefties. Omar Vizquel could retire any day now, as could Eddie Guardado; Andruw Jones is a shadow of his former self. The trickiest situation is that of Marlon Byrd, whose price will rise significantly after he led the team with 89 RBI this season. Whatever happens, the Rangers remain on the way to becoming better baseball picks to make the playoffs in 2010.