08/31/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Right-hander Bronson Arroyo can maintain the label as one of Cincinnati's few bright spots in 2008 today, when he leads the Reds in the finale of a three-game series versus the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park.
Arroyo, a 14-game winner in 2006 before sliding to just nine wins last year, had a slow start this season before catching fire in his last 10 outings.
The near two-month stretch has helped the Key West, Florida native to wins in seven of 10 starts to improve his 2008 slate to 12-10, including a complete- game effort on August 26 in Houston in which he allowed five hits and a run in a 2-1 triumph.
It was the first complete game by a Reds pitcher this season.
Arroyo is 2-3 lifetime against the Giants with one complete game and a 3.69 earned run average in 39 innings.
Meanwhile, young right-hander Matt Cain continues to battle inconsistency with San Francisco.
The 23-year-old burst onto the scene with 13 wins in his initial full taste of the major leagues in 2006, but dropped to just seven wins last season and has eight in 28 starts this year, including a 3-4 mark with three no-decisions in his last 10.
He put together a four-start unbeaten streak, including two victories, between August 4 and 20, but dropped a 4-2 verdict in his last effort on August 25, allowing six hits and three runs over six innings against Colorado.
Cain is 2-1 in three career starts against the Reds with a 2.89 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings.
On Saturday, Corey Patterson drove in the game-winning run on a triple in the eighth, and the Reds defeated the Giants, 7-6.
Patterson finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored while Jay Bruce went 2-for-3 with two runs scored for the Reds, winners of three out of five.
Ramon Ramirez got a no-decision after the bullpen gave up the lead in the eighth, throwing seven strong innings while only giving up three runs and five hits, with six strikeouts and two walks. Mike Lincoln (2-5) got the win despite giving up the game-tying run in the eighth inning.
Francisco Cordero pitched a perfect ninth for his 26th save of the year.
Randy Winn had two homers while Eugenio Velez also homered for the Giants, who have lost four of five.
Kevin Correia didn't factor into the decision, allowing six runs on seven hits in six innings while striking out two and walking two. Jack Taschner (3-2) received the loss after giving up a run in the eighth inning.
The Giants took two of three from the Reds back from April 25-27.
<< Floyd, White Sox wrap set with Red Sox
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago White Sox starter Gavin Floyd will try to run his
unbeaten streak to eight games when he takes on the Boston Red Sox today in
the finale of a three-game series at Fenway Park.
Floyd has won back-to-back starts and
<< Detroit's Galarraga aims to extend unbeaten streak in start vs. KC
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Armando Galarraga gets the
nod this afternoon, when he takes the mound in the finale of a three-game
series versus the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park.
Galarraga is 5-0 over his past sev
<< Blue Jays send Halladay to hill in test with Yankees
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay will try to win his
fourth straight start when he takes the hill this afternoon in the finale of a
three-game series against the New York Yankees in the Bronx.
Halladay, the 2003 AL Cy Yo
<< Indians try to salvage finale with Mariners
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Indians have dropped back-to-back games since
ripping off 10 consecutive wins, and will try to salvage the finale of a
three-game series today versus the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field.
The Indians had
Twins try to halt critical skid in Oakland >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With the AL Central race heating up, the Minnesota Twins
have picked a wrong time to start playing poorly. This afternoon they will try
to get back on track in the finale of a four-game series against the Oakland
Athletics at
Brewers send Sabathia to hill in Pittsburgh >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Big southpaw CC Sabathia can continue what has been a
remarkable run of National League dominance today, when the Milwaukee Brewers
close out a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
A 6-foot
Phils' Werth tries to stay hot in finale at Cubs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Getting a chance to play everyday, Jayson Werth is making
the most of it. The outfielder will try to guide the Philadelphia Phillies to
a split of their four-game series with the Chicago Cubs this afternoon at
Wrigley
Padres ace Peavy gets nod vs. Colorado >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jake Peavy will try to post his first win over the Rockies
this season, as the San Diego Padres wrap up a three-game set with Colorado
today at Petco Park.
Peavy is just 4-6 with a 4.11 earned run average in 16 care
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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