Cardinals, Nationals resume set in DC
Baseball Betting Lines
08/27/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An expected soft part of the schedule has been anything but so far for the St. Louis Cardinals, who'll be seeking to end a string of three straight losses in tonight's second test of a four-game series with the Washington Nationals.
The Cardinals have been challenged on their 10-game road trip against three non-contending teams (Pittsburgh, Washington and Houston), with the defending National League Central champions dropping their final two matchups with the bottom-feeding Pirates after opening the trek with a victory. St. Louis also came up short in Thursday's opener of this set with the NL East cellar- dwelling Nationals, dropping an 11-10 decision in 13 innings.
Ian Desmond knocked in the deciding run with an infield single in the bottom of the 13th which plated Nyjer Morgan, who was hit by a pitch from Blake Hawksworth (4-8) to lead off Washington's half of the inning and advanced to third on an Alberto Gonzalez single.
The game was extended due to a wild ninth inning in which the Cardinals scored four times to take a 10-8 lead, but the Nationals drew even in the bottom of the frame on Roger Bernadina's two-run homer off closer Ryan Franklin.
St. Louis tied the contest in the top of the ninth when Nats reliever Drew Storen hit Matt Holliday with a pitch in a bases-loaded situation. Randy Winn then greeted new pitcher Sean Burnett with a two-run single for a shortly- lived 10-8 edge.
"I don't really know what big league playoff atmosphere feels like -- I'm sure the atmosphere is a bit more hectic -- but that was a great played game by both sides," said Desmond, who finished with four hits and three RBI on the evening.
Willie Harris added a two-run single to help Washington halt a four-game losing streak.
Winn went 4-for-6 and knocked in four runs for St. Louis, which also received three RBI out of Skip Schumaker in the loss. Albert Pujols ended with two hits, one of which was the 400th home run of the star first baseman's illustrious career.
Thursday's loss dropped the Cardinals four games behind idle Cincinnati for the NL Central lead, and the team trails San Francisco by 1 1/2 games for the top spot in the league's Wild Card standings.
Jaime Garcia will attempt to get the Cardinals out of their funk, as well as duplicate a tremendous outing in his most recent start, when the impressive youngster takes the mound for the visitors tonight. The NL Rookie of the Year Award candidate further enhanced his credentials with a sensational showing against San Francisco last Sunday, yielding just three hits and zero walks to notch the first shutout and complete game of his brief big league career.
The effort improved Garcia to 11-6 in 24 starts this season and lowered his earned run average to 2.42, the sixth-lowest mark in the NL at the moment. The 24-year-old is 6-3 with a 3.41 ERA in 12 road assignments and will be taking on the Nationals for the first time tonight.
The Nationals will send out a struggling pitcher to oppose Garcia in Scott Olsen, who'll be out to halt a personal four-start slide in tonight's clash. After returning from a two-month stint on the disabled list to beat Atlanta on July 29, the left-hander has been rocked for 19 runs in 18 1/3 innings during his month-long losing streak.
Olsen was able to last six innings in his most recent start, but was still reached for four runs and nine hits and didn't get any offensive support as well in a 6-0 setback at Philadelphia on Sunday.
The 26-year-old also hasn't had much luck when facing the Cardinals in the past, having amassed a 1-4 record with a lackluster 6.10 ERA over five previous encounters with St. Louis. None of those games have occurred after the 2008 season, however.
Washington halted a six-game losing streak in this series with Thursday's triumph. St. Louis has still prevailed in 13 of the last 16 meetings between the teams and swept a two-game set from the Nationals at Busch Stadium in May.
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will likely need to have Tommy John surgery. The team announced t
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Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If you were a kid going through your
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Newark, DE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Delaware and the University of
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(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Journeyman lefty Chris Narveson can reach double-digit wins for the first time in his career tonight, when the Milwaukee Brewers host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a three-game series at Miller Park. A 28-year-
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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value
If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture. Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).
For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot. The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.
TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.
"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,' it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."
"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.
Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash. Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win.
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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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