Hughes goes for 12th win in Yankees-Angels opener

Baseball Betting Lines

07/20/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Phil Hughes takes aim at win No. 12 when the New York Yankees open a brief two-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this evening at Yankee Stadium.

Hughes, the loser in last Tuesday's All-Star Game, won six of his final seven decisions before the break, including an impressive victory over the Seattle Mariners in his last start on July 9. Hughes gave up a run and six hits in seven innings of that one and struck out five without walking a batter to improve to 11-2 while lowering his earned run average to 3.65.

"A lot of teams would take 11 wins from their fifth starter on the year...that's a big deal for half the year," Yankee manager Joe Girardi said of his young star.

Hughes beat the Angels earlier in the year and is 3-0 lifetime against them with a 4.70 ERA in five games (three starts).

The Yankees just took two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays in an emotional three-game set in the Bronx this past weekend, including a 9-5 win in Sunday's rubber match.

Alex Rodriguez clubbed a solo homer, the 598th of his career, and Derek Jeter had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run as the Yankees won for the 10th time in 12 games to improve their position in the AL East.

However, the news was not all good for the Yanks in that one, as starter Andy Pettitte was forced from the game with a groin injury and will miss at least the next 4-to-6 weeks.

"I really don't remember exactly what happened," said Pettitte of the injury. "I felt like I landed maybe a little awkward and I just felt like a burning sensation in [his groin]. As I stood there, I felt something kind of aching me a little bit. I tried to throw the warm-up pitch and felt fine when I threw it, but when I brought my left leg over it didn't feel good at all."

Los Angeles, meanwhile, will be starting a critical stretch tonight that will see them play six road games against the Yankees and AL West-leading Texas before heading home for six games against the Boston Red Sox and Rangers.

The Angels were denied a sweep in their four-game series with the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, falling 2-1 in 10 innings of the finale at Angel Stadium. Mike Napoli's solo homer was the lone run for the Angels, who wasted a superb outing from Ervin Santana.

Santana gave up a run in seven innings, but Kevin Jepsen (2-2) was charged with the loss.

"Sometimes you have to give the other guys credit," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Ervin (Santana) pitched a great game. We just didn't give him much run support."

Tonight the Angels had hoped to give the ball to lefty Scott Kazmir, but he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder fatigue. So the Angels are expected to hand the ball to righty Sean O'Sullivan, who has pitched to a 1.29 ERA in four relief appearances for the club this season.

These teams have split six meetings this season after going 5-5 against one another a year ago. Los Angeles, though, has lost seven of its last nine in the Bronx.

Cbaaports Baseball Betting News

<< Garza, Rays vie to continue success against Orioles
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Garza takes aim at win No. 11 when the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles continue a three-game set this evening at Camden Yards. Getting that win tonight shouldn't be a problem for Garza, who is 8-1 with a 2.48 ear

<< Royals try to make it two in a row over Jays
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Royals try to string back-to-back wins together this evening, when they play the middle test of their three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals halted a six-game losing

<< Cubs, Astros continue series at Wrigley Field
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Cubs had the wind taken out of their sails in last night's loss to the Houston Astros and will try for a measure of revenge Tuesday in the second installment of a three-game series at Wrigley Field. The Cubs wo

<< Reds hand ball to rookie Leake vs. Nationals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Reds are going to be careful with how many innings rookie Mike Leake racks up this season. They might be tempted to take the leash off tonight given how well he pitched against the Nationals last time. Leake

<< Rangers try to deal spiraling Tigers a seventh straight loss
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tommy Hunter hopes to deliver Texas' first series win in Detroit since 2007 this evening, when the Rangers play the middle test of their three-game set with the Tigers at Comerica Park. Texas had lost 11 straight in Detroi

Red Sox hand ball to Wakefield in Oakland >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After getting an important West Coast road trip off to a good start, the Boston Red Sox shoot for a second straight win over the Oakland Athletics when the teams continue a three-game series tonight at the Coliseum. Bosto

Marlins try to top another Rockies pitcher in south Florida >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Florida Marlins survived a meeting with Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez in last night's opener of a four-game series at Sun Life Stadium. The Marlins figure to have an easier chance of matching their longes

Brewers vie to stay hot against Pirates >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One day after starter Chris Capuano earned his first victory in over three years, the Milwaukee Brewers will try to extend their series winning streak over the Pittsburgh Pirates to six games this evening in the sec

White Sox hope to pad lead in Seattle >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago White Sox will be vying to further pad their lead atop the American League's Central Division when the resurgent club resumes a three-game series with the Seattle Mariners this evening at Safeco Field. Chica

Indians take aim at sixth straight win in middle tilt with Minnesota >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Indians are beginning to atone for a miserable first half of the season with a terrific start to their second. The rejuvenated Indians take aim at a sixth consecutive victory following the All-Star break whe

2007 NFL Football Betting Preview


“You play to win the game!”

Those are the words of notoriously intense head coach Herman Edwards. Unfortunately, from a bettors’ perspective, most coaches don’t feel that way about the NFL preseason. August is a time to evaluate young players, finalize the depth chart and pray your star players stay healthy.

The trick to making money during the exhibition schedule is identifying coaches – like Edwards – who can’t stand losing even when there's nothing on the line.

The New York Jets betting won 15 of 21 preseason games and went 14-7 against the spread (ATS) during Edwards’s five-year tenure with the club. In his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs field boss, the team improved from 0-4 to 2-2.

Identifying win-a-holics like Edwards is a good start if you plan betting the preseason – even though most say you shouldn’t ... but what the hell do they know anyway?

Here’s a brief rundown of two teams that have a habit of winning during the second-stringers’ season, and another club that has a good chance of exceeding this year.

New York Giants betting lines

Playing in the media hub of North America can be stressful but the press can’t write anything negative about the way Tom Coughlin’s boys play in the preseason. The Giants won and covered all four games last summer, improving their record to 7-1 both straight up (SU) and against the spread over the last two years.

Coughlin has shown he’s not afraid to give his starters more time in the second preseason game than most of his colleagues, no doubt one of the reasons his team has been so dominant.

Dallas Cowboys betting lines

Bettors can count on America’s team early on. The Cowboys are 14-6 both SU and ATS since 2002 in warm-up contests. Former coach Bill Parcells, the coach of the team the last four years, has an intimidating, in-your-face presence – surely a reason Dallas has had so much early success.

The Big Tuna won’t be strolling the sidelines with looks of disgust, but new coach Wade Phillips will be anxious to make a good first impression for owner Jerry Jones.

Dallas plays the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos before things get serious. They then face the Houston Texans in their third contest (the game starters see most game time) and finish off with the Minnesota Vikings.

Expect a Dallas team able to walk away with another 3-1 preseason record.

Oakland Raiders betting lines

This team scored a league-worst 12 offensive touchdowns last season, so the rookies and veterans each have something to prove. There’s a bounty of first-unit jobs up for grabs and plenty of bodies competing for those slots.

First-time head coach Lane Kiffin will be eager to impress an owner who employs the philosophy, “Just win, baby!”

The 32-year-old Kiffin has to command respect from a locker room full of players older than him. All of these factors should lead to purpose in preseason. 

Don’t forget: before playing like a team that belonged in NFL Europe, Oakland went 4-1 (both SU and ATS) in exhibition games.

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