Rays try to extend win streak versus Indians
Baseball Betting Lines
07/09/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays shoot for their seventh straight win this evening when they continue their four-game set with the Cleveland Indians at Tropicana Field.
After a miserable June that saw them go just 11-14, the Rays have won seven of eight to start July. Tampa continued to roll in Thursday's opener, as Carl Crawford hit a pair of two-run home runs, leading the Rays to a 5-2 win.
Carlos Pena also went deep for the Rays, who have won eight of their last nine games overall. Tampa has also won its last six at home against the Indians.
"They don't really come around that often, but I'm definitely excited when it does happen," said Crawford about hitting two homers in a game.
Wade Davis (6-9) earned his first win since May 29 by allowing four hits and a pair of runs over seven innings. Dan Wheeler turned in a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.
Michael Brantley and Andy Marte hit solo shots for the Indians, who have lost three in a row and five of seven.
Jake Westbrook (5-5) surrendered eight hits and five runs over six full frames in defeat. Despite fanning seven and not issuing a walk, he served up all three Tampa homers.
"I can't complain about it too much," said Indians manager Manny Acta about Westbrook's outing. "Jake has done a good job for us this year and he made a couple mistakes that went out of the park."
Tonight, the Rays turn to righty James Shields, who is 7-8 with a 4.83 ERA. Shields won for only the second time in his last nine starts on Sunday in Minnesota, as he held the Twins to four runs and eight hits in six innings.
Shields, though, has struggled against the Indians, posting an 0-3 mark to go along with a 3.73 ERA.
Cleveland, meanwhile, will counter with righty Fausto Carmona, who has lost two of his last three starts. Carmona was charged with the loss on Sunday against Oakland, which reached him for three runs and seven hits in seven innings. He is 7-7 on the season with a 3.69 ERA.
Carmona did not get a decision the last time he squared off against the Rays, but is 2-1 lifetime against them with a 6.29 ERA in six games (five starts).
Tampa swept a two-game series from the Indians back in May, but Cleveland has won four of the last seven meetings between the teams.
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The collegiate tight end has traditionally received little-to-no fanfare, except for the truly exceptional in that category. However, the position remains a quarterback's best friend. Whether it is serving as
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(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The woeful Baltimore Orioles try to make it two straight wins over the American League West-leading Texas Rangers when the two teams continue their four-game set from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington this evening. The Orioles
D'Backs vie for another win against Marlins >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arizona Diamondbacks try to make it two straight wins
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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.
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SPORTS BETTING
NFL Football Betting OnlineIn terms of sports wagering, the NFL is "the most popular game in town." The explanation behind that is easy.
It is called the "pointspread."
Many years ago, NFL games, as well as the more popular college games, used straight odds as a vehicle for betting. For example, if the Bears were playing the Giants, and it shaped up as a competitive contest, the Bears might be, say, a 7/5 favorite. If they were playing an also-ran, it might be 10/1. Well, there is a point where a line becomes prohibitive, as far as betting the favorite. And who would waste money betting an underdog that has virtually no chance? Such a setup did not contribute to promoting betting action.
But in modern sports betting, a "pointspread" is used.
A NFL pointspreads are exactly that, a pre-established point difference between the two sides that will, for all intents and purposes, create a handicap that evens things out, and in doing so, produces comparable wagering activity on both sides of that proposition. So in lieu of a odds figure in which to bet the team to win outright, the Bears might be a three-point favorite over the New York Giants, and a 17-point favorite over the also-ran. Now that the team that is the underdog can "get" points, there can be equal action on both sides.
In sportsbooks, this is usually done with efficiency by charging the losing bettors 10% extra - in effect, bettors are laying 11/10 on those games. So they are actually betting $110 to win $100. If they lose, they pay the "vig." If they win, they simply collect.
The establishment of the pointspread as the corner stone around which team sports like football can be wagered upon was truly what brought gridiron betting into the stratosphere for online football betting .
Don't believe it? Just take a look at what happens around the Super Bowl.
Stay with us here as we take you through the best in NFL action on a consistent basis, with advice columns as well as handicapping selections. If you're looking for college football betting, that's in our NCAA section, which you can reach by clicking here. And if you're looking for a different kind of football, such as the Canadian Football League, which we'll deal with occasionally, or the Arena Football League, which we really like, you can find it in our Miscellaneous section by clicking
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting odds .
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