Bradley shines as Rangers crush Tribe

Baseball Betting Lines

06/05/2008 - Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Milton Bradley finished 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI, as the Texas Rangers downed the Cleveland Indians, 9-4, in the finale of a four-game series.

Kevin Millwood (4-3) gave up four runs on nine hits in six-plus innings of work for Texas, which had lost three of four entering play. Four pitchers combined to toss three scoreless innings of relief.

Michael Young homered, doubled and knocked in two runs for the Rangers, extending his hitting streak to 21 games, the longest in the majors this season. Ramon Vazquez knocked in three runs.

C.C. Sabathia (3-8) allowed five runs -- four earned -- on nine hits to absorb the loss. The lefty also struck out eight and walked three. Rafael Betancourt was roughed up for three runs in two-thirds of an inning.

David Dellucci was 2-for-4 and drove in two runs for the Indians, who have dropped four of their last six outings. Ryan Garko had two hits and scored a run. Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta both knocked in a run.

The Rangers broke a 4-4 tie in the home sixth. Gerald Laird stroked a leadoff double and Chris Shelton bunted him to third. Vazquez struck out and Ian Kinsler worked a walk. Laird then scored the go-ahead when Young beat out a slow roller to short.

Betancourt started the seventh for the Indians and Bradley greeted him with a rocket down the right field line. Betancourt issued a one-out walk to Marlon Byrd before Shelton drew a free pass with two outs. Vazquez then smashed a two-run triple to right-center field.

Young's solo shot in the eighth gave the Rangers a 9-4 lead.

The Tribe built a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Grady Sizemore doubled to begin the contest and came around to score on Martinez's one-out single. Another base hit by Garko put runners on first and second for Peralta, who hooked an RBI double into the left field corner. Dellucci then smoked a two- run double off the wall in left.

Texas answered with three runs in the second. With runners on the corners and two away, Shelton beat out a chopper for an infield single, scoring Bradley, who was hit by a pitch to leadoff the inning. Vazquez then stroked an RBI single through the hole on the right side. Right-fielder Shin-Soo Choo overran the ball, allowing another runner to score and Vazquez to advance to third. Kinsler grounded out to second to end the frame.

The Rangers tied the game in the third, as Young led off with a double, took third on a wild pitch and, after Josh Hamilton struck out swinging, trotted home on Bradley's RBI single.

In the bottom of the fifth, Texas had runners on second and third with one out, but couldn't convert.

Meanwhile, Millwood settled down on the mound and retired 15 in a row after Dellucci's double, but found himself in hot water in the top of the sixth. Garko's one-out single had snapped the string. After Peralta went down on strikes, Millwood gave up consecutive singles to Dellucci and Casey Blake, loading the bases for Choo, who struck out to thwart the rally.

Game Notes

Kinsler's career-high 19-game hitting streak came to an end after an 0-for-4 performance. Young and Kinsler were looking to become the first teammates to have hit streaks of 20 games or more at the same time since 1980...Millwood had six strikeouts...The Rangers left eight men on base, while Cleveland stranded five...Before the game, Cleveland signed pitcher John Halama to a minor league contract. He will report to Buffalo of the International League. Halama last appeared in the majors in 2006 with Baltimore.

Sezshare Baseball Betting News

<< Richards, Angel lead Red Bulls over Chivas
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After a lackluster first half vs. Chivas USA at Giants Stadium on Thursday night, New York coach Juan Carlos Osorio told his team to "express themselves" in the second half and get a litt

<< Chipper hits 400th HR to lead Braves over Marlins
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chipper Jones hit his 400th career home run and the Atlanta Braves defeated the Florida Marlins, 7-5, in the finale of a four- game series at Turner Field. Jones, who finished 4-for-5 and improved his battin

<< Celtics' Pierce carried off court, but comes back
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce was carried off the court and placed in a wheelchair with a sprained right knee, but incredibly returned to the game later in the third quarter of the opener of the NBA

<< Dukes' 10th-inning HR leads Nats over Cards
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Elijah Dukes hit his first homer as a member of the Nationals, a dramatic two-run shot in the bottom of the 10th inning, as Washington earned a 10-9 win over St. Louis in the back end of a doubleh

<< Lakers rally to grab lead over Celtics at half of Game 1
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol combined for nearly half of the Lakers points in the first two quarters, and Los Angeles rallied from a five-point deficit in the second to take a 51-46 lead at halftime over Boston

Pirates activate Doumit from DL >>
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Pirates activated catcher Ryan Doumit from the 15-day disabled list following Thursday's 4-3 win over Houston. Doumit was placed on the disabled list on May 14 with a fractured left thu

ChiSox complete three-game sweep of Royals >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jim Thome hit a solo home run and scored twice, as the Chicago White Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 6-2 victory. Pablo Ozuna went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run sc

Piercing Rally: Celtics Take Game 1 >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carried off the court with a sprained right knee in the third quarter, Paul Pierce became the inspirational leader down the stretch as the Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 98-88, in Game 1 of the NBA Fin

Manny drives in five as Sox-Rays brawl again >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manny Ramirez's home run and five runs batted in finished off Boston's three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays, but those were not the only fireworks in Boston's 7-1 victory that cemented the reigning champio

Just like regular season, Celtics' D too good >>
BOSTON (AP) -Coach Doc Rivers vowed he wouldn't change the way the Celtics did anything on defense in the NBA finals.And why should he? Boston's defense was too good for Los Angeles in the regular season, and it still is so far in the postseason.The

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.