Lee leads Astros over Angels in LA

Baseball Betting Lines

06/20/2007 - Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Lee homered and knocked in four runs while Hunter Pence had three hits including a tie-breaking two-run homer, as the Houston Astros downed the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 9-5, in the second of a three-game interleague set.

Craig Biggio logged two hits, bringing his career total to 2,992. He needs eight more to become the 27th player in history to record 3,000 hits. Orlando Palmeiro had four hits for the Astros, who finished with a season-high 17 hits.

"We needed those 17 hits tonight," said third baseman Mike Lamb, who recorded his sixth multi-hit game in a row, going 2-for-4. "They're a battling team. You can never relax against those guys. They're a joy to watch. I appreciate their effort both as an opponent and as a fan."

Starter Jason Jennings (1-1) earned his first win in seven starts with the Astros despite allowing five runs -- four earned -- on 11 hits, while walking one and striking out four in 5 2/3 innings. Houston has won four of five.

"It was an ugly first two innings for both teams," said Jennings. "I then started pitching inside more and tried to keep them honest. I was able to throw a couple of zeros at the end and our bullpen did a great job."

Angels starter Bartolo Colon (6-3) struggled, going six frames, surrendering seven runs on 11 hits, while walking three and striking out three. Dustin Moseley allowed two runs on three hits in one inning of relief.

Reggie Willits had three hits and Howie Kendrick doubled twice for the Angels, who lost for just the second time in seven games one night after a 10-9 victory in which Chone Figgins drove in the game-winning run in the ninth.

The Angels got on the board in the first when Willits led off with a single to right, stole second, advanced to third on Orlando Cabrera's single and scored on Vladimir Guerrero's sacrifice fly.

Los Angeles added to its lead in the second. Kendrick doubled to right and Shea Hillenbrand singled to left before Robb Quinlan reached first on Mark Loretta's fielding error scoring Kendrick.

After Jose Molina grounded into a fielder's choice, Willits hit a sacrifice fly to left scoring Hillenbrand.

Lee's two-out, three-run homer to center in the top of the third, which scored Palmeiro and Pence, tied the game at 3-3. Palmeiro led off with a single and Pence singled with one-out before both scored on Lee's 12th home run.

The Angels, though, recaptured the lead in the home half. Guerrero doubled to left and scored on a Gary Matthews single to right. Kendrick followed with a double to left scoring Matthews and Los Angeles led, 5-3.

Houston tied the game in the fourth. Biggio singled to right, scoring Eric Munson, and later scored on Lee's sacrifice fly.

After Biggio led off the sixth with a single, Pence drilled a two-run homer into the seats in right, putting the Astros ahead 7-5.

Houston extended its lead to 9-5 in the seventh on RBI singles by Munson and Palmeiro.

Game Notes

Lee hit his major league-leading 11th sacrifice fly, tying his career high...The Astros have scored 37 runs over their last four games...Lee's 59 RBI tie him with Prince Fielder for the NL lead...Houston's Chris Burke, who pinch-ran for Luke Scott in the fifth, struck out with the bases loaded against Chris Bootcheck to end the eighth...The Angels lost for just the fourth time in their last 17 home games...The Angels are 10-4 in interleague play this season, while Houston in 8-6...Cabrera extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

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