08/27/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rookie southpaw Matt Harrison makes the 10th start of his major league career and tries to regain the momentum of a recent three-game win streak tonight when the Texas Rangers visit Kauffman Stadium to close out a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals.
Harrison, a third-round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2003, made his debut on July 8 with a 3-2 defeat of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and ran his record to 5-2 with consecutive defeats of the New York Yankees, Baltimore and Tampa Bay between Aug. 5 and 16.
He fell slightly back to Earth on Aug. 22, however, after being roughed up for seven hits and five runs in 3 2/3 innings of a 7-5 loss to the Cleveland Indians.
Overall, the 23-year-old native of Durham, N.C. has allowed 56 hits and 33 earned runs in 47 1/3 innings.
He has never faced the Royals.
For Kansas City, second-generation big leaguer Brian Bannister tries again to end a winless skid that's now reached 10 starts and stretched over two full months.
Bannister, whose father, Floyd, pitched for several teams, including the Royals, in the 1980's, was 7-6 on the season after defeating Colorado, 8-4, in an interleague game on June 23.
He's 0-for-10 in terms of wins since, losing seven decisions and watching his earned run average swell from 4.47 after the win over the Rockies to 5.89 following a 4-3 loss to Detroit on Aug. 22, in which he gave up five hits and four runs in eight innings.
The low point came one start earlier at Yankee Stadium, when the 27-year-old was raked for 10 hits and 10 runs while recording only three outs in a 15-6 loss to New York.
He is 1-1 in three career starts against the Rangers with a 5.82 ERA in 17 innings.
On Tuesday, Kevin Millwood went the distance for the second straight time and Milton Bradley drove in a run to lead the Rangers in a 2-1 victory over the Royals.
Millwood (8-7) gave up a run on nine hits while fanning a pair without issuing a walk over his time on the mound. Joaquin Arias and Brandon Boggs both scored for the Rangers, who have won their last two.
KC starter Zack Greinke lasted six frames and gave up an unearned run on four hits while fanning five and walking just one.
Ramon Ramirez (2-2) absorbed the loss as he was touched for another unearned run on three hits in two innings of work. Miguel Olivo went 3-for-4 and knocked in the lone run for the Royals, who have dropped two in a row and nine of their last 10.
Texas has won six of eight from the Royals this season.
<< With backs to the wall, Yanks continue battle with BoSox
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With their chances for a 14th straight postseason
appearance dwindling by the day, the New York Yankees turn to Sidney Ponson to
right their ship tonight in the second test of a critical three-game series
with th
<< Phils try to extend NL East lead over Mets
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phillies' rally last year to overtake the Mets for the
National League East crown was pretty impressive. Last night's comeback to
recapture first place in the division wasn't too bad either.
After rallying from
<< White Sox, O's close set in Baltimore
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Right-hander Radhames Liz makes his second start since
returning from a stint in the minors tonight when the Baltimore Orioles
entertain the visiting Chicago White Sox in the finale of a three-game series
at Camden Yards.
<< Verlander hopes to slow down red-hot Indians
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hard-throwing but inconsistent righty Justin Verlander
tries for a third straight win tonight when the Detroit Tigers host the
Cleveland Indians in the third and final game of a three-game series at
Comerica Park.
Verlan
Angels, Athletics wrap series >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two American League West teams that haven't won a series in
a while get a chance to end their droughts tonight, when the Los Angeles
Angels of Anaheim play the rubber match of a three-game set with the visiting
Oakland Athlet
Desperate Dodgers continue series in Washington >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Greg Maddux will get another shot to prove his worth for
the road-weary Los Angeles Dodgers, who resume a three-game series tonight
versus the host Washington Nationals.
Maddux joined the Dodgers last week in a tr
Astros' Oswalt tries to continue ownership of Reds >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roy Oswalt must get excited when he sees the Cincinnati
Reds on the schedule, as evidenced by his career mark against them. Oswalt
will face the Reds for a third time this season when the Astros play the
second
Big Unit continues quest for 300 wins versus Padres >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Randy Johnson tries to move one step closer to magical win
No. 300 this afternoon, as the Arizona Diamondbacks try to salvage the finale
of their three-game series with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
Johnson, at the a
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers SPORTS TRASH TALK
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
It's less than a month until the NHL hockey betting season opens at MySportsbook.com and preparations are underway for another battle in the race to hoist Lord Stanley's mug in 2007.
As cup crazy fans prepare to place their bets, one online sportsbook ,MySportsbook.com, is offering hockey betting lines on the 2007/2007 Stanley Cup , who will bring it home this upcoming season.
Despite a poor showing in last season's playoffs and the loss of Steve Yzerman to retirement, the Detroit Red Wings are early favourites at this online sportsbook with wagering odds of 6-1. The Wings will look to offensive powerhouse Pavel Datsyuk and newly appointed captain Nicklas Lidstrom to lead one of the league's most prominent franchises.
Always a threat are the Ottawa Senators, with newly acquired goaltender Martin Gerber from the Stanley Cup champion ,Carolina Hurricanes. The Sens are second best in the rankings at a 7-1 bet, and odds makers at this sportsbook are optimistic that the Ottawa squad will fare better than last season's Eastern Conference semi-final upset to the Buffalo Sabres.
Also worth noting are the defending Stanley Cup champs Carolina Hurricanes, a 10-1 bet to repeat. Behind the Canes are the New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, and Anaheim Mighty Ducks all sit at 12-1. In the basement are the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and St. Louis Blues who all have 100-1 odds to win.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your hockey betting needs.
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