Cubs to honor Dawson; open series vs. Buccos
Baseball Betting Lines
08/30/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Though the season is a lost one for the Cubs, they will still try to make Monday's opener with the Pirates a special one. Standing in the way is Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm, who aims for a fourth victory in as many starts versus Chicago this year.
Prior to tonight's opener of a three-game series at Wrigley Field, Chicago, in interim manager Mike Quade's home debut, will honor recent Hall of Fame inductee Andre Dawson.
Known as "The Hawk", Dawson played with the Cubs from 1987-92 and hit .285 over his six years with Chicago, posting 174 of his career 438 homers in that span. He won the National League MVP in his first season with Chicago, notching a .287 average with 49 homers and 137 RBI.
Dawson also won two of his eight NL Gold Gloves with the Cubs, so he would have been both proud and disappointed with Chicago's effort on Sunday. He would have loved Kosuke Fukudome's game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning, but the current Cubs outfielder also committed a throwing error that allowed the Reds to score the go-ahead run in the bottom of the frame on the way to handing Chicago a 7-5 setback.
Casey Coleman allowed four runs over six innings in the start and reliever Sean Marshall took the loss after yielding the two eighth-inning runs.
"They have a really good lineup," Coleman said of the Reds. "I tried to attack the zone like I did last time but they got a few hits and found some holes. I tried to minimize the damage and give up one run at a time but against a tough team like that, those runs can come back to hurt you."
Sunday's loss gave the Cubs a 4-2 mark on their six-game road trip, their first under the Illinois-born Quade, who took over at the start of the trip after Lou Piniella stepped down from his role as manager.
Carlos Zambrano will try to give his interim manager a victory tonight in the opener of a nine-game homestand. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 2.25 earned run average in four starts since returning to Chicago's rotation.
Zambrano, who was recently in Venezuela to visit an ill nephew, hurled a season-high 7 1/3 innings versus the Nationals in a victory on Tuesday, holding the club to a run on five hits while striking out eight. He improved to 5-6 with a 4.64 ERA in 29 games this year, 13 of those starts.
The 29-year-old faced the Pirates in relief back on May 14 and took a loss for allowing three runs over an inning of work. In 29 career outings versus Pittsburgh, including 25 starts, he is 11-8 with a 4.16 ERA.
Zambrano will try to prevent Maholm from improving to 4-0 versus the Cubs this year. The 28-year-old is pitching to a 2.25 ERA over his three previous meetings with Chicago in 2010 and hasn't lost to the club since Aug. 2, 2008. He is 7-1 in his career versus the Cubs despite a 5.70 ERA.
Maholm is winless since Aug. 3, but did snap a three-start losing streak by posting a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Tuesday. The lefty allowed a pair of runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings of his club's eventual 4-3 triumph.
Maholm, who has just one win in his last seven starts, is 7-12 this year with a 4.82 ERA.
Pittsburgh will look to bounce back tonight after getting swept by Milwaukee in three games over the weekend. It dropped Sunday's contest, 8-4, despite homers by Neil Walker, Ryan Doumit and Delwyn Young.
Charlie Morton, making his first start since May 27th, lasted only 3 1/3 innings in his return from the minors. The right-hander was tagged for eight runs -- seven earned -- on nine hits.
"It was bad. It was frustrating," Morton said. "I just have to shake it off and get back out there. The first game back I obviously wanted to do better than I did today."
Pittsburgh All-Star reliever Evan Meek left the game in the eighth inning after getting hit on the right pitching wrist by a line drive, but x-rays were negative and he is day-to-day.
The Pirates have won nine of 12 over the Cubs this year, taking four of six so far at Wrigley Field.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees are back in the Bronx and have some favorable matchups ahead starting with tonight's opener of a four-game series versus the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees will also host Toronto and
<< Skidding Cardinals aim to rebound against Astros
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals will begin the last leg of what has
been a disappointing road trip tonight, when they take on the Houston Astros
in the first of three straight games from Minute Maid Park.
The Cardinals have lost 1
<< Angels send Santana to the hill against Mariners
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hard-throwing right-hander Ervin Santana takes another step
toward a career-best win total tonight when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
visit Seattle for the opening game of a three-game series with the Mariners at
Safeco F
<< White Sox hit the road to battle the Indians
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The playoff-hopeful Chicago White Sox may get an added
boost to their 10-game road trip, which begins tonight with the first of three
straight matchups against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.
It has been report
<< FCS Season Preview: Ivy League
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ivy League football coaches like to play
off the idea that there's parity within the Ancient Eight.
You know the old familiar lines - that they're recruiting from within the same
small pool of high school
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Playing against division opponents hasn't helped much for the San Francisco Giants and their quest for a playoff berth. Tonight they'll continue their tour through the familiar National League West with the first of three str
Braves carry momentum into opener with Mets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Count the Braves as fans of instant replay.
After a reversed call helped Atlanta maintain a two-game edge for first place
in the National League East, the Braves look to make it three victories in a
row this evening in
Padres seek to snap season-long skid in clash with D-Backs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres are mired in a season-high losing
streak and look to get back on track tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks
in the opener of a three-game series between division foes at Chase Field.
The National L
Phils shoot for fourth straight victory versus Dodgers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies are hoping a recent sweep of the
talented San Diego Padres will catapult them back into the postseason.
Currently standing in the way of that goal are the Los Angeles Dodgers, who
will welcome the tw
NL Central-leading Reds seek a win over Wolf, Brewers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In winning 11 of their last 15 games the Reds now own
their largest division lead this season.
Perhaps that momentum can help them solve Brewers starter Randy Wolf.
Cincinnati will try to defeat Wolf for the f
Albert Pujols to be This Year's Home Run Champ Says Online Sportsbook
Barry Bonds is a 50-1 long shot to be this year's home run champ odds. The favorite to be this year's home run champ is none other than Albert Pujols, however.
Now that Barry Bonds is signed and in Giants camp, it is on to his pursuit of all of sports most prestigious records: the all-time home run mark. Bonds sits just 21 homers shy of tying Hank Aaron for the career mark at 755. Word out of Giants’ camp is that Bonds is the healthiest he has been in a few years. Bonds is just two seasons removed from his injury riddled 2005 campaign where he played in only 14 games and hit only 5 home runs. He did come back last year and had a solid season hitting .270 with 26 bombs. All eyes will be on Bonds this spring and summer not only because of his home run chase but his highly publicized steroid abuse allegations. If and when Bonds breaks the record, he surely will not get the positive attention one should for breaking a record that was once thought of as “unbreakable”. Despite Bonds decent season last year, he is just 50-1 at MySportsbook.com to lead the MLB in long balls this season.
Not surprisingly, the favorites to go deep the most times this season are Albert Pujols 5-1, Ryan Howard 6-1, David Ortiz 8-1 and Alex Rodriguez 12-1. With 49 homers, Pujols finished second in the National League behind Howard (58). Pujols is considered the favorite due to the consistent power numbers that he has posted since breaking into the league in 2001. Also one must consider the fact that he played in 16 fewer games then Howard did due to an injury. Howard smashed 58 homers in his first complete season of big league play en route to the National League MVP odds award. He silenced his critics by successfully hitting left-handed pitching. Howard also displayed the ability to use his power to the opposite field. Two attributes which should keep Howard amongst the league leaders in long balls for years to come. From the American League representatives, David Ortiz leads the field. Ortiz was second in the majors last year with 54 home runs. Except for 1999 when he only played in 10 games, Ortiz has improved on his home run numbers each year he has been in the majors (1997).
Be sure to log onto online sports betting site MySportsbook.com to check out the odds for who will lead the MLB in home runs this season. Below is just a sample of the players listed. With the highest credit card rates in the industry, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on baseball this summer.
World Series odds
Adam Dunn 15-1
Albert Pujols 5-1
Alex Rodriguez 12-1
Alfonso Soriano 15-1
Andruw Jones 25-1
Barry Bonds 50-1
Carlos Delgado 40-1
David Ortiz 8-1
Jermaine Dye 40-1
Ken Griffey Jr. 100-1
Lance Berkman 40-1
Manny Ramirez 20-1
Richie Sexson 40-1
Ryan Howard 6-1
Travis Hafner 20-1
Vladimir Guerrero 40-1
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards
Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.
Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.
All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.
A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.
2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1
Ron Brace (NE) 25/1
Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1
Darius Butler (NE) 40/1
Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1
Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1
Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1
Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1
Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1
Larry English (SD) 15/1
Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1
Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1
Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1
Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1
James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1
Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1
Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1
Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1
Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1
Roy Miller (TB) 20/1
Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1
Fili Moala (IND) 30/1
Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1
Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1
B J Raji (GB) 7/1
Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1
Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1
David Verkune (CLE) 20/1
Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 6/1
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.