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.

Dallas Cowboys

As the Cowboys want their starters nice and fresh for next week, don’t expect them to see much if any action Friday night in Minnesota. That’s big news for Jesse Holley, the wide receiver who won Michael Irvin’s reality series 4th and Long. He’ll finally see the field Friday and hopes to impress the coaching staff enough to win a spot on the roster.

One player to watch this season is Martellus Bennett; an afterthought at tight end last season, known more for being mentally checked out than anything else, he had a very impressive camp, showcasing the type of leaping ability and athleticism that creates mouth-watering mismatches. The Cowboys may deploy some two-tight-end sets to get him involved in the offense.

Dallas Mavericks

Online betting fans don’t have to dust off their basketball previews and projections just yet, as NBA training camps are still a month away, but don’t tell that to first-round draft pick Roddy Beaubois. The rookie point guard is working hard with Mavs coaches this offseason, trying to improve his passing and decision making and watching video of his summer league exploits. With Jason Kidd re-signed, Beaubois’s path to start is blocked, so the Mavs should bring him along slowly.

Dallas Stars

The Stars are likely happy to see training camp arrive, as I’m betting management was tired of asking questions about finances and its sudden inability to make free-agent splashes. As unpredictable as Dallas’ hockey odds are this season, its offense may be better than expected. Brenden Morrow’s return is a big shot in the arm, Loui Eriksson broke out with 36 goals last year and James Neal in particular seems primed for an explosion. He potted 24 goals as a rookie and had five multi-goal games, so he has sniper potential.