First-place Rangers, Royals square off in KC
Baseball Betting Lines
08/30/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first-place Texas Rangers can get their road record to .500 and maintain a stranglehold on the American League's West Division tonight, when they visit the Kansas City Royals in the opener of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.
The Rangers dropped an 8-2 decision to Oakland on Sunday in the rubber match of their three-game series, but still own a 7 1/2-game lead on the second- place Athletics. Texas heads to Kansas City at 30-31 in 61 road games in 2010.
A's starter Gio Gonzalez (12-8) gave up just two runs on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts for the Athletics, who took the final two games after dropping Friday's opener. Coco Crisp finished 2-for-4 with an RBI while Kevin Kouzmanoff and Mark Ellis each hit a solo home run.
Josh Hamilton hit a solo home run as well and drove in the other run for the Rangers, who have dropped three of four.
Colby Lewis (9-11) was tagged for seven runs -- six earned -- on eight hits with three walks and seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings.
The Rangers go with breakout lefty C.J. Wilson, a former closer who's won six straight decisions since July 11.
The 29-year-old, who entered the season with 12 wins in 258 major-league appearances, picked up his 13th win of the year with a 4-3 decision over Minnesota on Aug. 25 after allowing seven hits and three runs in six innings.
He's pitched at least six innings five times and allowed three runs or less seven times in the unbeaten streak, which has seen his earned run average drop from 3.35 to 3.02 in eight starts.
Wilson tossed a complete game in his most recent meeting with the Royals, allowing five hits and a run in a 4-1 victory on May 7 in Texas.
He is 1-0 with six saves in 11 career meetings with Kansas City and 3-3 in 10 road starts this season.
For the Royals, righty Kyle Davies starts for the seventh time in his career against the Rangers while still seeking his first win.
The 26-year-old got a no-decision after he was ripped for nine hits and nine runs in four innings of a 13-12 Texas win on May 6.
He is 0-3 with a 7.62 ERA against the Rangers in 28 1/3 innings.
Davies was a 9-1 loser at Detroit in his most recent start on Aug. 24 after giving up 12 hits and seven runs in 4 2/3 innings.
His last win came Aug. 13 against the New York Yankees.
On Sunday, Mitch Maier homered and drove in two runs, helping the Royals salvage a three-game series with a 6-2 win over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.
Alex Gordon added two hits, while Kila Ka'aihue had an RBI double for the Royals, who had lost four of their last five. Brayan Pena drove in a pair of runs in the win.
Bruce Chen (9-7) won for the fourth time in six starts after allowing just two runs on six hits and two walks in six-plus frames.
The Rangers had a six-game series winning streak halted in the last meeting between the club's on May 26. That victory by the Royals gave them a split of a quick two-game set at Kansas City, where Texas has still won eight of the past 11 meetings.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Youngster Wade Davis makes his second start since returning from the disabled list tonight, when the Tampa Bay Rays host the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a three-game home series at Tropicana Field. A soon-to-be 25
<< Nats hand ball to Marquis in Florida
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Despite pitching well over his last two starts, Nationals
hurler Jason Marquis is still searching for his first victory in nearly a
year. Unfortunately, tonight's opponent, the Marlins, have given him issues
over th
<< Pettitte's health the key to the Yankees repeating
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If the New York Yankees hope to win a second
straight world championship they'll need a healthy and productive Andy Pettitte
on the mound come October. Before the 38-year old lefty went down with a
strained groin
<< 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
<< 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
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With training camps opening Sept. 12, there is no better time than the present to begin asking the single-most important question for each of the 30 NHL teams. The first of six installments begins in
Does NHL have something to Fehr? >>
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The revolving door to the president's office
at the National Hockey League Players' Association is once again in motion and
the punditocracy is foaming with rumors that former baseball players' union
boss Don
Prosecutors charge Mizzou RB with assault >>
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -Prosecutors have charged suspended Missouri running back Derrick Washington with sexual assault.Assistant Boone County prosecutor Andrea Hayes says a single count of felony deviate sexual assault was filed Monday. She says she wi
Walcott putting World Cup snub behind him >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The biggest decisions most 16-year-old
boys have to make involve a choice of which car to buy, which girl to ask to
the dance, or what their Facebook status will be.
But Theo Walcott was not your typic
Boston downs Philadelphia to edge closer to playoff berth >>
West Chester, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Breakers closed the gap on the
Philadelphia Independence in the race for second place in the Women's
Professional Soccer table with a 2-1 comeback win at John A. Farrell Stadium
on Sund
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.