Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting
07/09/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - We are just past the halfway point of the Major League Baseball season and the Detroit Tigers are right where they want to be; atop the American League Central standings.
The Tigers have gotten off to a hot start in July, having won five of six this month following their three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles this week. Most importantly, they've been getting contributions from top to bottom.
Wednesday night against Baltimore, Tigers' starter Max Scherzer pitched seven innings of one-run ball, scattering six hits while striking out six. It was his fourth consecutive victory, marking a career-high. Indeed, Scherzer has enjoyed a sweet redemption in the Motor City. Back in mid-May, Scherzer was demoted to Triple-A Toledo with a 1-4 record and a 7.29 ERA.
He had even dubbed himself a "Five and Dive guy" for his frequent high pitch counts and subsequent inability to get past the fifth inning. But that is no more as Scherzer is 5-2 with a 2.44 ERA since his return, averaging 11 strikeouts per nine innings.
Another guy who has been a major sparkplug to the team's recent surge is veteran Johnny Damon, who is hitting .304 in July and reached a milestone with his 2,500th career hit in the third inning of Wednesday's game. However, it was career hit No. 2,501 which will have a more lasting memory. Damon propelled the Tigers to a 7-5 win over the Orioles with a walk-off homer in the 11th inning.
"The 2,500 ball is going to go in my trophy case," he said after the game. "But 2,501 is definitely going to be the one I remember that helped this team win a crucial ballgame."
An even bigger catalyst has been Miguel Cabrera, who has his sights set on a Triple Crown. Entering Wednesday's game, Cabrera was leading the majors in batting average (.347), homers (21) and RBI (73). But later that night, Toronto's Jose Bautista surpassed him with his 22nd homer of the year, albeit an inside-the-parker. Cabrera has also hit safely in 16 straight games, which is one shy of his career high, set last season.
Next up for the Tigers is a weekend home series with the Minnesota Twins leading into the All-Star break. Minnesota was recently leapfrogged in the division standings by the Chicago White Sox, winners of five straight.
The Tigers have been able to take care of struggling teams. Wednesday's sweep of the Orioles wrapped up Detroit's streak of six straight home series against last-place teams. The Tigers compiled a 15-3 mark during that stretch.
ROYALS CLOSING FIRST HALF WITH A BANG
The Kansas City Royals (39-46) are sending a message that they intend to hang around in the AL Central race. They've won three straight and five of six so far in the month of July. Overall, they've won 10 of their last 13.
The only problem is, they haven't been able to gain any ground. The first- place Tigers (46-37) have won three straight and seven of 10, while the second-place White Sox (46-38) have won five in a row. As a result, the Royals' deficit in the division standings is still eight games, but they'll have a chance to close some ground this weekend as they head to Chicago for a three-game set with their division rival.
Usually by this time, most sports fans in Kansas City have shifted their attention away from the Royals and toward the start of Chiefs training camp. Earlier this week, the Royals swept the Mariners in Seattle for the first time in 15 years. But how does this hot streak affect the team's eye toward the future? Will manager Ned Yost continue to play veterans at the expense of younger guys who need the at-bats?
"Realistically, if you can get it down to somewhere between four and six games with two months to play, you've got a chance," general manager Dayton Moore told the Kansas City Star.
The real question is, if the Royals manage to achieve that type of deficit by the end of the month, will Moore suddenly become a buyer at the trade deadline and part with some coveted prospects for help now?
WHITE SOX SUFFER MAJOR BLOW
When White Sox starter Jake Peavy abruptly walked off the mound after feeling a strange sensation in the back of his pitching shoulder during the second inning of Tuesday night's game with the Angels, fans throughout Chicago's South Side collectively held their breath.
As it turns out, the injury suffered by Peavy appears to be quite serious, and likely, season ending. That will ultimately hinge on a second and third opinion for what has been diagnosed as a detached latissimus dorsi muscle. Obviously, that's a major blow for a team has won five in a row to move to within a half-game of first place in the AL Central.
Over his last six starts, Peavy had compiled a 1.67 ERA and was pitching like the ace he was brought to Chicago to be. Most surprisingly, he was dominating on the mound despite some arm budding arm problems. After complaining of a dead arm a few weeks ago, Peavy underwent an MRI, which revealed fluid build- up in his pitching elbow. Although his next start was pushed back a couple of days, Peavy did not go on the DL, a decision that was reached after extensive internal discussions. In his previous start leading up to Tuesday, he felt something grab in the back of his shoulder, which yielded some bruising in the area. Still, after receiving some treatment, Peavy pitched on.
"I don't think anyone is at fault here -- myself for wanting to be out there or the team for letting me be out there," Peavy said.
No word from general manager Kenny Williams on how the injury will alter his trade deadline plans. For now, Daniel Hudson figures to be called up from Triple-A Charlotte to replace Peavy in the rotation, although nothing has been decided. Hudson was pulled out of the Futures Game on Sunday, leading to speculation that he'd be the man to fill Peavy's shoes, for now.
TWINS TRYING TO STOP THE BLEEDING
Less than a week ago, the Minnesota Twins were a fist-place team in the American League Central. But as we've learned over the years, things can change very quickly in this division. Entering this weekend's final series before the All-Star break, the Twins (45-40) find themselves in third place, two games back of Detroit.
However, by the end of the weekend, it's possible they could be right back in the driver's seat. The Twins head to the Motor City to kick off a three-game set with the division-leading Tigers Friday. And Minnesota is hell-bent on heading into the break the same way they've spent much of the season's first half; atop the division.
The series opener presents a marquee pitching matchup between Minnesota's Francisco Liriano and Detroit's Justin Verlander. In his last outing, Liriano went seven innings and allowed one run on four hits, fanning 10 against the Rays last Saturday. He'll need to bring his A-game Friday for a Minnesota squad that is a bit banged up at the moment.
First baseman Justin Morneau was held out of Thursday's lineup after taking a knee to the head on Wednesday night. Also on Wednesday night, left fielder Delmon Young sprained his left wrist during an outfield collision with Denard Span, though Young was back in the lineup Thursday.
CARMONA ENJOYING REBOUND SEASON FOR TRIBE
When he burst onto the scene with a 19-8 record and a 3.06 ERA as a 24-year- old in 2007, Indians starter Fausto Carmona was dubbed the next big thing in Cleveland. But injuries derailed his 2008 season, and last year he pitched so poorly he was demoted to the rookie-level Arizona League to try and regain his form.
Consider the first half of this season as evidence that Carmona has, in fact, rediscovered his mojo. Through 17 starts this year, he has compiled a 3.69 ERA and has tossed two complete games. Next week in Anaheim, he will be Cleveland's lone representative in the 2010 All-Star game, which will be his first as a pro.
Carmona was a manager's selection by New York Yankees coach Joe Girardi, who will manage the American League All-Stars. However, Carmona was mild-mannered about the news, which was delivered on a day when he lost to the A's, 3-1 despite another quality start.
"He's 7-7 now," pitching coach Tim Belcher said. "That doesn't sound all that impressive. But after (Sunday), that's now four losses with a quality start, and he's had three no-decisions with quality starts. He could very easily have as many as 13 wins and, quite conservatively, could have 10 or 11."
<< NL West: Rockies becoming the hitmen of baseball
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's all about making the 'hits' in organized crime.
In Major League Baseball, producing hits is what usually wins games and the
Colorado Rockies have been whacking opposing pitchers on their four-game
winning st
<< Sharks sign D Hjalmarsson to offer sheet
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks have signed restricted
free agent defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson to an offer sheet.
Hjalmarsson skated in 77 games last season for the Stanley Cup champion
Blackhawks, who have
<< Toronto adds former Chivas USA striker Santos
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Toronto FC signed forward Maicon Santos, who
was the released earlier this week by Chivas USA, the Major League Soccer club
announced on Friday.
"We are delighted to welcome Maicon on board," TFC manager, di
<< Revs hope to make statement vs. Galaxy
Foxborough, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New England Revolution have won just one
of their last 11 Major League Soccer fixtures.
The Los Angeles Galaxy have lost just one in 15 to start the 2010 season.
Obviously Saturday's game between the
Stoudemire deal becomes sign-and-trade >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Knicks announced Friday that the
deal for Amare Stoudemire is a sign-and-trade agreement with the Phoenix Suns.
Stoudemire agreed to join the Knicks earlier this week and a deal was
anno
Clarke pushes lead to three in Scotland >>
Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Darren Clarke carded a four-under 67 in
steady rain Friday to extend his lead to three strokes after two rounds of the
Scottish Open.
Clarke, who led by one after the first round, completed 36 holes at
Tennessee football players involved in bar brawl >>
Knoxville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Tennessee football program
had six players reportedly involved in a fight at a Knoxville bar early Friday
morning.
Two of the six have been arrested thus far, according to the Knoxville
Germany's Klose targets record against Uruguay >>
Port Elizabeth, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Miroslav Klose can become the
all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history Saturday when Germany plays
Uruguay in the third-place match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Klose scored five
Huskers' Lucky hospitalized for undisclosed reason
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska running back Marlon Lucky was hospitalized Monday for undisclosed reasons after Lincoln police responded to a call at his residence.
The Nebraska athletic department said in a release Monday that Lucky was admitted Sunday night.
MySportsbook.com has the Cornhuskers listed at +2500 to win the BCS National Championship odds.
A nursing supervisor at the hospital said all questions about Lucky were being referred to the athletic department. The athletic department said there would be no further comment from the department or Lucky's family.
A Lincoln Police spokesman said officers responded to a call at Lucky's residence 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The spokesman said he didn't know Lucky's condition at the time he was taken to the hospital.
Lucky, from North Hollywood, Calif., started six games last season as a sophomore and was the team's second-leading rusher, with 728 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 383 yards. He averaged 19.1 yards on eight kickoff returns.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
NEW YORK (AP) -By staying away from the cupcakes, Southern California earned itself a slim new ranking.
No. 1 always seems to fit USC.
Southern California jumped two spots to No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 on Tuesday, rewarded by voters for opening the season with a dominant performance on the road against a BCS conference opponent.
Georgia and Ohio State, the preseason Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, started their seasons with glorified scrimmages at home against FCS (formerly I-AA) teams. USC, however, traveled across country to face Virginia and could not have been more impressive in a 52-7 victory.
Georgia fell to No. 2 and Ohio State to No 3.
"We realize that rankings so early in a season are certainly fluid. But rankings do help establish a pecking order for things later in the season," USC coach Pete Carroll said in a statement. "As for moving into the No. 1 spot, it's nice to know that people think highly of our team."
Since reaching No. 1 on Dec. 7, 2003, the final-regular season AP poll of that season, USC has been No. 1 in 39 polls, by far the most of any team during that time.
"Some have said the voters are taking our schedule into consideration," Carroll said. "Our philosophy has always been to schedule outstanding opponents. We need to play challenging games like we just did, traveling across the country to open the season at Virginia. Games like that bring out our best and make us stronger as a team."
The latest voting was close. USC received 21 first-place votes and 1,539 points from the 65-member media panel. Georgia had 20 first-place votes and 1,506 points. Ohio State got 15 first-place votes and 1,497 points.
"I'd say we've evolved as pollsters," said Stewart Mandel of SI.com, who moved USC up to No. 1. "In the past, voters just kind of automatically moved teams up and kept teams where they were if they won."
Georgia beat Georgia Southern 45-21 on Saturday and Ohio State opened with a 43-0 win over Youngstown State.
"There's a bit of a growing backlash for the amount of teams that open with I-AA cupcakes," said Mandel, whose book "Bowls, Polls and Tattered Souls" chronicles college football's controversies. "To see a team [USC] go on the road and play a New Year's Day bowl team from last season, and not only play them but destroy them, how could you not reward that team?"
USC also jumped past Georgia to No. 1 in the USA Today coaches' poll, which has the same top five as the AP poll.
"It's definitely a privilege to be No. 1. But it's not heartbreaking to me if we drop," Georgia offensive lineman Josh Davis said. "It doesn't matter right now what we're ranked. What matters is our next game and right now, that's Central Michigan. The only time the polls matter is in December. That's when the polls matter."
While the Bulldogs opened easy, their schedule ultimately should be as difficult as any team's. Georgia's big nonconference test is at No. 15 Arizona State on Sept. 20. The Bulldogs also face six Southeastern Conference rivals that've been ranked in the first two polls.
As for Ohio State, the Buckeyes play at USC on Sept. 13 before getting into the Big Ten schedule.
But of the teams in this week's top 10, USC and Texas are the only ones that don't play an FCS opponent, and the Trojans are the only team that doesn't play a team from a non-BCS conference.
Get the latest 2009 BCS Championship odds at MySportsbook.com.
The last team to drop from No. 1 after a victory was USC last season. LSU jumped from No. 2 to No. 1 when it beat Tulane 34-9, the same week the Trojans edged Washington 27-24 on the road.
The last preseason No. 1 team to lose the top spot after winning its opening game was Florida in 2001. The Gators beat Marshall 49-14, but preseason No. 2 Miami opened with a 33-7 victory over Penn State and the Hurricanes jumped to No. 1 with Florida slipping to second.
The next four teams in the new Top 25 stayed the same: No. 4 Oklahoma (two first-place votes), No. 5 Florida (five first-place votes), No. 6 Missouri (one first-place vote), No. 7 LSU (one first-place vote) and No. 8 West Virginia.
No. 9 Auburn and No. 10 Texas each moved up a spot, taking advantage of Clemson's big drop. Clemson, ninth in the preseason, fell out after losing 34-10 to Alabama on Saturday.
Also falling out after losses were Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh and Tennessee.
Moving into the rankings were No. 21 Fresno State, No. 22 Utah, No. 23 UCLA and No. 24 South Carolina.
Alabama moved up 11 spots after its big victory over Clemson.
The second 10 started with No. 11 Wisconsin, followed by Texas Tech, Alabama and Kansas. BYU and Arizona State were tied for 15th. Rivals BYU and Utah are both ranked for the first time since 1996.
South Florida was No. 17, ahead of Oregon, Penn State and Wake Forest at No. 20.
The final five were all the teams to move into the ranking, except for Illinois, which dropped four spots and tied South Carolina for No. 24.
Get free Sports Betting lines RSS feeds from top rated online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting