10/11/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox try to go two games up on the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series this evening when the AL East rivals play Game 2 of the best-of-seven set at Tropicana Field.
Boston snatched home-field advantage in the series with a Game 1 victory on Friday, as Daisuke Matsuzaka took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, helping the Red Sox to a 2-0 win.
Kevin Youkilis went 3-for-4 and doubled in a run, and Jed Lowrie added a sacrifice fly for the defending World Series champions, who lost eight of nine games in St. Petersburg during the regular season.
Matsuzaka (1-0), who was unbeaten in nine road decisions during the regular season, allowed four hits, walked four and had nine strikeouts over his seven- plus innings. Jonathan Papelbon retired the side in order in the ninth to notch the save for the Red Sox.
They've won a team-record six straight postseason road games and have won 11 of their last 12 playoff games overall.
James Shields (1-1) surrendered six hits and the two runs over 7 1/3 frames. He also walked two and fanned six in the first-ever ALCS game for the Rays.
Now, Boston turns to perhaps the best postseason pitcher of this generation in right-hander Josh Beckett. However, Beckett was not his usual playoff- dominating self in his Game 3 ALDS start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
After having his start pushed back because of an oblique injury, Beckett put forth the worst postseason start of his career, as he allowed four runs and nine hits in five innings versus the Angels.
Nobody seems overly concerned, though, saying that rust had as much to with the poor outing as anything.
Beckett, who is 5-3 lifetime against the Rays, had won all four of his postseason starts a year ago, but saw his playoff ERA rise from 1.73 to 2.09.
The Rays will counter with young lefty Scott Kazmir. He has pitched fairly well against the Red Sox over the course of his young career, but struggled against them this season, going 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in four starts. For his career Kazmir is 6-7 against Boston with a 3.62 ERA in 21 starts.
The 24-year-old hurler, who was 12-8 with a 3.49 ERA in the regular season, gave up two runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of his Game 2 win over the White Sox.
While the defending world champion Red Sox are ALCS regulars, appearing in this round for the fourth time in the last six years, the Rays, of course, are new to the party, playing in their first-ever postseason.
These teams are obviously no stranger to one another, having played 18 times throughout the season. Tampa managed to win 10 of those contests with eight of the victories coming on their home field.
This series will shift to Fenway Park for Game 3 on Monday.
<< Sweden cruises to big win at Women's World Amateur
Adelaide, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall
both broke par on Saturday to help Sweden cruise to a 12-stroke victory at the
Women's World Amateur Team Championship.
Nordqvist posted a three-under 69 in the
<< Cowboys CB Newman sidelined after hernia surgery
Irving, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman will
likely be sidelined for at least a month after undergoing surgery for a sports
hernia.
The team's website said the procedure was performed Friday in Durham, No
<< Eskimos hold off BC
Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ricky Ray threw for 311 yards on 23-of-35
passing and rushed for a touchdown, as the Edmonton Eskimos staved off a late
British Columbia rally to edge the Lions, 27-20.
Calvin McCarty gained 70 yards
<< Senators' Alfredsson has surgery
Ottawa, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ottawa Senators forward Daniel Alfredsson
underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Friday, and he could miss up
to two weeks of action.
The surgery was to remove a bone chip in the captain's knee
Maple Leafs play host to rival Canadiens >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Maple Leafs were able to spoil one team's home
opener a couple days ago. Now, the club will try to claim a victory in front
of its own fans tonight, as it hosts the Montreal Canadiens at the Air Canada
Centre.
Sens return home for test against Red Wings >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After beginning the regular season in Europe, the Ottawa
Senators will have their official home opener tonight as they welcome the
defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings to Scotiabank Place.
The Senators met the
Blues hope for another offensive outburst versus Islanders >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Any concerns about the Blues' ability to score goals this
season may have already been put to rest. Coming off a five-goal outburst, St.
Louis travels to New York to battle the Islanders tonight at Nassau Coliseum.
St. Lou
Flyers begin season with home test against well-traveled Rangers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While the Rangers season is almost a week old, the Flyers
are just getting started. Philadelphia begins its 2008-09 campaign tonight
against well-traveled New York at the Wachovia Center.
New York has already played three
Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year
Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month.
With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.
Randy Foye of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be set to give Roy the best competition NBA Rookie of the Year betting lines. With the benching of Mike James, Foye looks like he could be the starter in the T-Wolves backcourt for the rest of the season. So far, Foye has averaged 9 PPG and 2.4 assists in just under 21 minutes per game. With his new role of starter, Foye’s numbers will definitely increase. In his first game as the new starting guard this past Sunday, Foye had 10 points; five rebounds and 8 assists. More importantly, he logged 34 minutes of playing time; his third highest run of the season.
Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.
Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.
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