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06/08/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim kicked off the month of June by winning five of their first six games. The Angels began the winning streak by taking three out of four games from the Baltimore Orioles, with their lone loss of that set coming on May 31.
Anaheim followed up the series win by taking two out of three games from the Minnesota Twins. The back-to-back series victories propelled the Angels to a 38-23 record, giving them a 5 1/2-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the American League West standings.
At this point in the season Anaheim is a force to be reckon with at home. Anaheim is 24-9 at Angels Stadium and has not lost a home series since dropping two out of three games to the Chicago White Sox between May 4-6. Anaheim has also been consistent on the road thus far, posting a 14-14 road ledger.
Anaheim recently finished off a seven-game homestand with a series win over the Twins. The Angels dominated the series, outscoring Minnesota 26-12 over the three game set. Monday night's 16-3 win set the tone for the series, as the Angels collected a season high 23 hits in the victory.
Five Angels collected three or more hits on the night, led by Gary Matthews Jr., who went 4-for-5 with five RBI and a run scored. Orlando Cabrera also had a big night, going 4-for-5 with two RBI and four runs scored. Starter Jered Weaver captured his fourth win in five starts, holding the Twins to just one run on five hits through seven innings.
Tuesday night brought more of the same for Anaheim, as it fought its way to a 5-1 victory. Right-hander Kelvim Escobar won his fifth straight start, throwing a three-hit complete game victory. The Angels put together another big night at the plate, collecting 10 hits in the win. Cabrera led the way again, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
The Angels could not make it three in a row on Wednesday, as starter John Lackey was touched for six runs, four earned, over seven innings. The loss prevented Lackey from becoming the first pitcher in the majors to reach 10 wins this season.
LACKEY CONTINUES TO SHINE
Lackey has always been a consistent pitcher throughout his six-year Major League career. Over the years the right-hander has become known for his slow starts and strong second-half finishes. However, all that has changed this season, as Lackey has gotten off to a tremendous start.
The Angels ace is 9-4 with a 2.60 ERA in 13 starts this season. Although he has been effective before the All-Star break in previous seasons, the right- hander is just 37-30 lifetime in games pitched prior to the All-Star game. However, Lackey has been outstanding in the second-half, posting an impressive 32-23 ledger following the All-Star break.
A few more wins and Lackey is all but guaranteed a spot on the American League roster in this year's All-Star game. The trip would be the first for the right-hander, who is looking forward to the opportunity.
"If it happens, it'd be great," Lackey said. "It's definitely something I'd like to do in my career, although my focus is on making the playoffs.
Lackey's emergence into the Angels starring role began five years ago as a rookie. Lackey started perhaps the biggest game in franchise history when he took the mound for game seven of the 2002 World Series. His performance that night laid the foundation for things to come. However, it has been Lackey's work ethic and ability to adjust over the years that has separated him from the rest.
"You've got to keep adding to your game -- especially in our division with only four teams," he said. "For example, I started throwing the two-seamer away from righties. The more options you can put in your game, the more they have to think about. I haven't invented any new pitches, but I'll use the variety I have at any time."
BOOTCHECK ADDING QAULITY TO ANGELS BULLPEN
Right-hander Chris Bootcheck is a perfect example of how everything seems to be going right for the Angels this season. The 28-year-old reliever has become a solid option for Anaheim out of the bullpen. Although he has spent most of his professional career circulating through the minors, Bootcheck may have finally found a permanent home in Anaheim.
The right-hander has put together quite a stat line so far this season, posting a 1-0 record with a 3.80 ERA in 14 appearances. However, it is not Bootcheck's numbers that mean so much to the Angels, but yet the role he will play in the latter parts of the season. Bootcheck has proven to be a valuable asset as a multiple-inning reliever, pitching two or more innings seven times this season.
With Anaheim holding a 5 1/2-game lead in the AL West, it must begin to slowly prepare itself for possible postseason play. As history has shown, the team with the most reliable pitching staff is usually to team left standing in the end. The Angels already have an outstanding starting rotation and perhaps the AL's best closer in Francisco Rodriguez. Bootcheck may be the final piece to the World Series puzzle.
Manager Mike Scioscia has acknowledged Bootcheck's role and knows just how important the reliever will be as the season wears on.
"Right now, the role Boot has doesn't get as much credit as other roles on the staff," Scioscia said. "But it's certainly important to us. He's pitching himself into a better role, doing a terrific job.
"It's tough to sit six, seven days and come in. But his command and control enable him to do that. He's pitching far beyond, throwing very consistently. We certainly see an expanded role for him going forward."
INJURY NEWS
Outfielder Garret Anderson has finally returned to the Angels lineup after missing more than a month of action with a hip injury. Anderson was activated for Sunday's game against Baltimore, making his first start since April 27th.
Anderson's activation forced the club to option pitcher Joe Saunders to the minors.
WHO'S HOT
Outfielder Vladimir Guerrero continues to crush the baseball, batting .348 with 12 home runs and 51 RBI on the season. Guerrero has gone 15-for-37 at the plate over his last 10 games, knocking in 11 runs in the process.
Escobar has been exceptional this season, posting a 7-3 record in 11 starts. The right-hander has won six of his last eight starts, striking out 37 batters in the process.
WHO'S NOT
Second baseman Erick Aybar has struggled at the plate over the past two weeks, going just 5-for-27 in his last 10 games. Aybar is the only soft spot in the Angels line-up at this point, hitting just .246 on the year.
Reliever Darren Oliver has struggled as of late, surrendering three runs on four hits over his last three innings. The southpaw's recent setback has vaulted his ERA to 7.31 on the year.
ON DECK
The Angels will go on the road this weekend for a three game set against the St. Louis Cardinals. Bartolo Colon (5-2, 5.44) will face off against Kip Wells (2-10, 6.40) in Friday night's opener. Ervin Santana (4-6, 5.32) and Braden Looper (6-4, 3.72) will take the mound on Saturday, before Weaver (5-3, 3.88) and Todd Wellemeyer (1-1, 7.26) close out the Sunday's series finale.
<< It'll be Federer vs. Nadal once again in French final
Paris, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ten-time Grand Slam champion Roger
Federer and reigning two-time French Open titlist Rafael Nadal will meet in a
blockbuster final at Roland Garros for a second straight year here on Sunday.
The top-seede
<< Tigers sluggin' out wins
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For fans of pitching duels, the 2007 Detroit Tigers may not
be the best team to watch.
While Justin Verlander and Jeremy Bonderman continue to mow down opposing
hitters, it has been Detroit's offense that has carried
<< Culpepper leaves Dolphins minicamp
Davie, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Embattled Miami Dolphins quarterback Daunte
Culpepper left the team's final minicamp practice of the spring on Friday.
The Miami Herald reported that Culpepper, who asked for his release on
Thursday
<< History in the Remaking at Oakmont CC
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Making sure that everyone on a club's
staff has proper understanding of, and appreciation for, a property's history
and unique characteristics is always a challenge--especially when the club is
over 1
Royals continue to falter >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While it's still early in the 2007 season, the only chase
the Kansas City Royals are involved in is the one to avoid owning the worst
record in the majors.
Thanks to the Texas Rangers, the Royals are safe in that departmen
Bailey set to make major-league debut >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Highly-touted pitching prospect Homer
Bailey will make his major league debut on Friday after Cincinnati purchased
his contract from Triple-A Louisville.
Bailey, who is considered one of the to
Galaxy putting pieces together for Dallas contest >>
Frisco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Galaxy have played the fewest
games of any team in Major League Soccer this season, but the club has already
been forced to rearrange its lineup because of injuries and international
absence
Nationals don't have much to rely on >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Maybe the Washington Nationals should have re-signed
Alfonso Soriano in the offseason after all.
While the former Nationals outfielder is enjoying a solid season with the
Chicago Cubs, his former team is strug
Chiefs' Treen Green out for Sunday's game
How long Trent Green will remain sidelined is unknown. Coach Herm Edwards said Monday he will miss a second straight start Sunday when the Chiefs host the San Francisco 49ers.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first hook slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati's Robert Geathers.
Oddsmakers at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers.
The 49ers got beat by Philadelphia 38-24 as a 6.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (42.5).
Alex Smith completed 27-of-46 passes for 293 yards with a touchdown. Michael Robinson rushed for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five carries.
The Chiefs lost 9-6 to Denver last week as an 11-point underdog. The combined score was well UNDER the posted over/under total (38).
Larry Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 27 carries. Damon Huard completed 17-of-23 passes for 133 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
To visit this online sports book got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.
Two playoff teams from 2007 take center stage on the NFL Network Sunday night in a Week 2 NFL betting match-up when the (0-1) New England Patriots betting head south to Florida for a contest with the (1-0) Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
New England HC Bill Belichick couldn’t care less about the way his team plays in the preseason. With a chance to tie last week’s game with the Baltimore Ravens betting, He elected to go for the two-point conversion and outright victory. The conversion failed, and the Pats ended up falling to the Ravens by a 16-15 final count.
New England rolled off twelve unanswered points to give it a chance at securing the victory, but it never threatened to cover the 3.5-point spread. NFL bettors saw this one coming, as they bet the Ravens down from +6 to +3.5 as the week progressed. QB Tom Brady didn’t take part in the Patriots first preseason clash, but could see action this weekend.
His three replacements all put up embarrassing numbers. They went a combined 17 for 33, and threw three interceptions and no touchdowns. The New England defense was encouraging, as they held the Ravens to 2/12 third down conversions and surrendered just ten first downs. That ‘D’ should be bolstered with the addition of former Bucs and Denver Broncos betting safety John Lynch, who could make his Patriots debut on Sunday against his former mates.
HC Jon Gruden had to be impressed with the way his Bucs played on both sides of the ball in their dominating 17-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 1’s NFL pre-season betting action. Bucs bettors were quite happy with the effort, as they made a mockery of the fact that they were underdogs in the game.
The logjam at the quarterback position didn’t get any easier to separate for Gruden, as all four of his QBs had positive experiences in the first exhibition of 2008. The four combined to complete 28 of their 40 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown, and that was without starting QB Jeff Garcia in the lineup.
RB Michael Bennett had 19 carries and four receptions, totaling 90 yards and a touchdown. Expect to see more of Bennett, Kenneth Darby, and Earnest Graham, as they all compete for playing time with Warrick Dunn in the backfield this season. Defensively, the Bucs recorded four sacks and held the Fins offense in check all day.
First round draft pick Aqib Talib was impressive in the secondary, recording a tackle and two pass defenses in his debut. Don’t be surprised to see Talib in the starting lineup opposite Ronde Barber for the Bucs in ’08.
The betting trends suggest that NFL bettors should be backing the Bucs in this intra-conference exhibition.
These two teams hooked up last year in Tampa Bay, with the Bucs winning that game 13-10. The Buccaneers have only lost one preseason game at home dating back to the beginning of the ’05 preseason. The Patriots have had a mixed bag of results in their recent exhibitions. They have gone 2-2 ATS and SU each of the last three years.
New England currently sits as modest 1-point favorites in this preseason showdown with the ‘total’ now sitting at 34.5.
You can find these lines and all of the NFL betting lines , so be sure to login and get your wagers down before kickoff!
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting lines .
To visit this sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sports betting
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