A-Rod continues quest for 600 vs. Indians

Baseball Betting Lines

07/27/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees used the long ball to come through with a win over the Cleveland Indians last night, but none came off the bat of Alex Rodriguez.

With their star slugger still stuck on 599 career home runs, the Yankees vie for a second straight victory in this four-game series when the defending world champions return to Progressive Field this evening.

Rodriguez failed in his attempt to become the seventh player in major league history to reach the 600-homer milestone in Monday's opener of this set, but the Yankees did receive round-trippers from Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher in their 3-2 triumph over the Indians. Granderson's shot, a two-run blast off Tribe starter Jake Westbrook in the top of the eighth inning, erased a 2-1 deficit and helped give New York its fifth win in its last six contests.

Westbrook (6-7) had limited the Yankees' potent offense to one run over the first seven innings, but gave up a leadoff single to Jorge Posada in the eighth and Granderson followed with a deep drive into the right-field seats to put New York ahead.

"I don't know exactly [about] the location," said Westbrook of the pitch. "I mean, [Granderson's] a good low-ball hitter and that's what I'm trying to do is keep the ball down and get a double play -- and he hit a homer."

Granderson's homer also made a winner out of Javier Vazquez (9-7) after the Yankee starter held Cleveland to two runs and five hits over seven innings. Mariano Rivera protected the lead with a scoreless ninth to notch his 21st save of the year.

Rodriguez finished 0-for-4 and has now gone four games since hitting career homer No. 599 in a win over Kansas City last Thursday. The three-time American League MVP will continue his quest tonight, when he'll also be celebrating his 35th birthday.

"I'm not really concerned about it," said Rodriguez of reaching the mark. "It's going to come whether it's this week, or next week or next month. The important thing for me is to stay within the game, take my walks. It all comes back to the same fundamentals."

Rodriguez, as well as the rest of his Yankee teammates, will be going up against an unfamiliar opponent this evening, with the Indians tabbing Josh Tomlin to make his first major league start. The young right-hander will be taking the rotation spot of Aaron Laffey, placed on the disabled list last week due to a fatigued left shoulder.

Tomlin earned tonight's assignment by compiling an 8-4 record over 20 appearances (17 starts) with Triple-A Columbus, and his 2.68 earned run average currently ranks second-best in the International League. The 25-year- old has been a consistent winner after since being selected by the Tribe in the 19th round of the 2006 draft, having gone 51-24 over five seasons in the minors.

The Yankees bring a far more experienced pitcher into the fray tonight, with former Indians star CC Sabathia set to take on his original team. The All-Star southpaw will be taking aim at his 150th career victory when he takes the mound, in addition to trying to become the AL's first 14-game winner of the season.

Sabathia is tied with Tampa Bay's David Price for the league lead in wins and enters tonight's game having come out on top in each of his last nine decisions. The New York ace is unbeaten in 11 straight starts since his most recent loss, which took place against the crosstown-rival Mets on May 23.

He extended his remarkable win streak in the Yankees' 10-4 triumph over Kansas City on Thursday, although Sabathia wasn't at his best that night. He was touched for four runs (three earned) and gave up a season high-tying 11 hits over 6 1/3 innings, but did register nine strikeouts for the game.

Sabathia broke into the majors with the Indians in 2001 and pitched 7 1/2 seasons with Cleveland before being traded to Milwaukee midway through the 2008 campaign. He amassed a 106-71 record during his tenure with the Tribe and captured the AL's Cy Young Award after going 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA in 2007.

The 30-year-old did take on the Indians at Progressive Field once last season, and dealt his ex-club a loss with seven innings of three-run ball that night. Sabathia also recorded a pair of no-decisions in two other starts against Cleveland, including a May 29 clash at Yankee Stadium in which he permitted five runs in six innings of work.

New York took three of four games from the Indians in that late-May series at Yankee Stadium and has prevailed in eight of the last 10 clashes between the teams. In their only visit to Cleveland last season, the Yankees won three of four tests from the Tribe.

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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. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.

NFL Football Betting


BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES

It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.

BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES

All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.

COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES

Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.

TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES

Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.

RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES

Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.

PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES

Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.

JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES

Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.

SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES

I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.

VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES

Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.

DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES

Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.

SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES

I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.

BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES

Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.

BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES

Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.

RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES

A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.

PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers

Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.

Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.