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.

Wwgoto Baseball Betting News

<< 2010 FBS Positional Analysis: Tight Ends
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

<< Record crowd watched Clijsters beat Serena
Brussels, Belgium (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The largest crowd to ever watch a tennis match saw Belgian Kim Clijsters beat Wimbledon champion Serena Williams in an exhibition bout Thursday in Brussels. The former world No. 1 Clijsters topped the c

<< Bruins sign Stuart to one-year deal
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Mark Stuart to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Stuart has spent his entire career with the Bruins, who made the Rochester, Minnesota nat

<< Coroner: Turpin died of self-inflicted gunshot
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -A coroner's report says former Kentucky basketball star Melvin Turpin died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.The report Friday gave no other information about the investigation, including whether Turpin left a suicide note. Faye

<< Calling Canuck fans everywhere
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The word "frenzy" is often used to describe the NHL's free agency period, but sitting here today on July 9th, the word "flop" might be more appropriate in describing the excitement level amongst hockey fans.

Orioles try for another win over West-leading Rangers >>
(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 tonight when they host the Florida Marlins in game two of a four-game series at Chase Field. In Thursday's opener, Kelly Johnson went 4-for-5 and drove in three ru

Nationals aim to back Strasburg in opener versus Cain, Giants >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Stephen Strasburg is quickly finding out that its hard to win games when his team has had trouble scoring runs. It's a problem San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain can certainly relate to. Strasburg will be attempting to

Mets, Braves kick off key series at Citi Field >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Citi Field has provided a distinct home advantage for the New York Mets this season, an edge the team will attempt to use in a critical three-game series with the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves that starts up ton

Rezai, Dulko reach Bastad final >>
Bastad, Sweden (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Second-seeded Aravane Rezai and fourth- seeded Gisela Dulko will square off in Saturday's final at the $220,000 Swedish Open. The 48th-ranked Dulko reached the final by upsetting top-seeded wor

NFL Football Betting : Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super Bowl

NFL Super Bowl Betting

The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.

Most sports fans would agree that these two teams top the list to win it all before the season even begins. In the BetUS Sportsbook football futures, the Colts are +800 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys are sitting at +1000 and the Super Bowl XLIV champions New Orleans Saints at +900. In the AFC South, the Colts won the division for five straight years after the 2002 realignment, before the Tennessee Titans won it in 2008. But the Colts came back strong in 2009 to win the division again en route to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East, as well as to advance far into the post season. The Cowboys won the division last season before their horrendous loss in the NFC Divisional playoff to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. But the ‘Boys will take that loss humbly and be ready for the playoffs this time around.

The NFC South is also very strong, at +600 in the NFL futures, considering that it is home to the defending Super Bowl champions. However, some predictions have the Atlanta Falcons with possibilities of claiming the divisional title this season in place of the Saints, as no team has won back-to-back division championships since the division realignment took place. Let’s not overlook the AFC North at +500. As TO goes to Cincinnati to join Chad OchoCinco and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, this team looks to claim the division title again. And it is likely they will do so. The Bengals lost in the AFC Wild Card spot in a hard-fought battle against the New York Jets last season. Lest not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers, the XLII Super Bowl Champions… All these teams present interesting odds and matchups for the upcoming season, but the safest and surest bet seems to be with the Colts in the AFC South and the Cowboys in the NFC East. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.