Garza gets Rays' first no-hitter by blanking Tigers
Baseball Betting Lines
07/26/2010 -
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Garza tossed the first no-hitter in
Tampa Bay history in a 5-0 win over Detroit in the opener of a four-game set
at Tropicana Field.
Garza (11-5) walked one, struck out six and faced the minimum 27 hitters for
the Rays, who have won three in a row and four out of five. Brennan Boesch was
the only baserunner for Detroit and was erased on an inning-ending double play
grounder in the second inning.
Tampa Bay was the victim of a no-hitter twice earlier this season at the hands
of Oakland's Dallas Braden, who tossed a perfect game on May 9, and Arizona's
Edwin Jackson, who needed 149 pitches to finish the job on June 25. In fact,
the Rays have been no-hit three times since last season with the White Sox'
Mark Buehrle turning the trick in another perfect game July 23, 2009.
The New York Mets and San Diego Padres are now the only major league teams not
have not thrown a no-hitter.
Matt Joyce hit a two-out grand slam in the sixth inning to break up dueling
no-hitters and Carl Crawford added a solo shot in the eighth.
Max Scherzer (7-8) had kept the Rays hitless until Joyce's decisive blow and
wound up taking the loss after allowing four runs -- three earned -- on two
hits and four walks while striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings for the
Tigers, who have dropped three out of four.
Garza threw 120 pitches to etch his name in the record books and throw the
fifth no-hitter in the major leagues this season. It's the first time since
1991 that at least five no-hitters have been thrown in a single season.
He set down Miguel Cabrera on a line drive to left to open the eighth and then
retired Boesch on a called third strike and got Ryan Raburn on a swinging
third strike to end the frame.
The right-hander set down Don Kelly on a ground ball to second to open the
ninth and then got Gerald Laird on a called third strike to reach the brink of
history. He completed the no-hitter by retiring pinch-hitter Ramon Santiago on
a fly ball to shallow right field. The Rays then mobbed their teammate, who
had been 0-4 in six previous starts against the Tigers.
Ben Zobrist started the winning rally in the sixth with a one-out walk and
moved up when Crawford reached on catcher's interference. Evan Longoria walked
to load the bases for Carlos Pena, who struck out. Joyce then broke up
Scherzer's no-hit bid with a grand slam off the right field foul pole on a 3-2
pitch. He had hooked the prior pitch foul down the right field line.
Jason Bartlett followed with a single to center field that chased the Tigers'
young right-hander from the game. Brad Thomas came on and retired Reid Brignac
to end the inning.
Crawford's homered in the eighth off Enrique Gonzalez.
Game Notes
Garza has won his last four decisions...Tampa Bay is 17-8 against the AL
Central this year...Joyce's grand slam was his second of the year and of his
career. Detroit skipper Jim Leyland was thrown out of the game after B.J.
Upton stole second base the third when he appeared to have been tagged out
before arriving at the bag...Scherzer is 0-6 in his last eight road starts and
has won only once away from home all season, April 18 in Seattle...Austin
Jackson had a 10-game hit streak snapped, while Santiago and Cabrera lost
seven-game hit strings.
<< Blue Jays continue domination of O's
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jose Bautista hit a three-run homer and Aaron
Hill added a two-run shot and knocked in three, as the Toronto Blue Jays
earned a 9-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles in the first of a three-game set
at Roge
<< Yankees rally past Tribe; A-Rod stuck on 599
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Curtis Granderson hit a go-ahead two-run
homer in the eighth inning and the Yankees took the first of four consecutive
meetings with the Cleveland Indians, 3-2, at Progressive Field.
Nick Swisher added
<< Cavs deal West, Telfair to T'Wolves for Sessions, Hollins
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded guards
Delonte West and Sebastian Telfair to the Minnesota Timberwolves for guard
Ramon Sessions, center Ryan Hollins and a 2013 second-round draft pick.
West avera
<< Martinez back in Red Sox lineup
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox activated catcher Victor
Martinez from the 15-day disabled list Monday after a month-long absence.
Martinez broke his left thumb during a June 27 game against the Giants when a
foul tip
<< Two Drexel hoop players in trouble with the law
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Drexel University has placed three male
students, including basketball players Jamie Harris and Kevin Phillip, on
interim suspension pending the outcome of a police investigation into a
robbery
Cubs' catcher Soto leaves game in Houston >>
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto left
Monday's game against the Astros with a bruised left foot.
Soto grounded out to lead off the top of the sixth but did not come out to
take his position defe
White Sox stretch home win streak to eight >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - John Danks tossed eight innings of one-run
ball, and Juan Pierre went 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI, as the
White Sox returned to U.S. Cellular Field with a 6-1 win over Seattle.
Chicago, com
Raiders sign second-round pick Houston >>
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Raiders have signed defensive
lineman Lamarr Houston, their second-round draft choice.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Houston was the 44th overall selection in the 2010 NFL
Draft out of Texas.
Hou
In a pinch: Edmonds' HR in eighth lifts Brewers >>
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pinch-hitter Jim Edmonds belted the tie-
breaking home run off Bronson Arroyo with two outs in the eighth inning, as
Milwaukee edged Cincinnati, 3-2, at Miller Park.
The Brewers, winners of five in
Theriot's homer helps Cubs get by Astros >>
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Theriot hit his first home run of the
season and Carlos Silva worked five innings to push Chicago past Houston, 5-2,
in the opener of a three-game set.
Theriot finished with a pair of hits and Alfonso
NCAA Football Betting
Many fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.)
"To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good."
Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins
There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida.
Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins
Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October.
USC Trojans - 10.5 wins
A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention.
Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy
Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2
He won it last year, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to do it again, making him just the second player to go back-to-back. Ohio State's Archie Griffin turned the trick in 1974 and 1975, and Tebow's coach, Urban Meyer, is pretty sure his star quarterback can match the Buckeyes legend.
"There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach."
Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1
The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines.
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1
If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J.
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American Idol Betting Season 6 Strategies
It's that time of year folks. Betting on American Idol Season 9. And we have plenty of American Idol Season 6 strategies appearing below. With the Top 24 finalists revealed, online gambling sites will be offering betting odds on each of them, including MySportsbook.com.
No other “event” has been growing as fast as wagering on American Idol. It has turned into a huge betting event with reasonably high limits and all sorts of profit-making potential for sharp bettors. Last year, MySportsbook.com experienced unprecedented traffic as a result of the American Idol betting craze.
Every week there will be odds to win American Idol, various elimination props and contestant versus contestant match-ups at the MySportsbook.com website.
Whether a fan of America’s top-rated show or watching only because of a wife or girlfriend, here are some of basic strategies to use when betting American Idol.
Odds to Win
There are a few things to consider when looking for the right win bet. First off, remember that this bet is for the long haul. Many people make the mistake of picking the performer who sang the best the previous week. This strategy leads to an underlay situation – betting a price, which is less than what it should be.
All Idol contestants struggle at some point in the competition, so you should always look for value. In last year’s competition alone, two performers who had some of the best performances early in the series were subsequently bet down to low prices - Lisa Tucker and Ace Young. After just a few weeks, Tucker had already been eliminated, while Young quickly became a huge long shot to win America’s largest talent search.
A better strategy is to look for performers who don’t necessarily get the praise from the judges, but show flashes of the talent necessary to go the distance.
Another important thing to remember when betting any contestant to win is the demographic breakdown of the voters, the viewing public and potential future CD purchasers. Unlike sporting events, American Idol is not decided on the field of play – it’s decided by the American public under the guiding influence of the shows producers.
Understand that the great state of Alabama has a mighty edge when it comes to American Idol.
Therefore, to be successful betting on American Idol, put any personal opinions or prejudices aside and think like the majority of the voting public. Remember that the typical voter is young, female and quite often, Southern.
If a contestant cannot appeal to this demographic, no matter how much talent he or she possesses, they’ll struggle for votes. Looks, demeanor and charisma are extremely important. And it’s no coincidence that every Idol winner so far has hailed from a Southern state.
Elimination Props
Every week MySportsbook.com anticipates offering a prop on who’ll be eliminated from the show each Wednesday night. A suggestion to handicap this is to gauge an overall feel for who’s the least popular contestant left in the competition. Generally the least popular performers have recently appeared in the bottom three and will have been the target of repeated criticism from the judges.
Last year, resources included dialidol.com and votefortheworst.com. Dialidol.com measures the volume of each contestant’s voting line. While by no means a perfect science, it does give a good indication of who is generating votes and who isn’t. Meanwhile, votefortheworst.com is a site that attempts to build support for the worst competitor to keep them in the competition for ‘entertainment’ value. The site has a proven track record of keeping performers around who most feel should have been voted off a long time ago.
Contestant vs. Contestant Match-ups
The best strategy for doing well on match-ups is to assess how close either of the contestants is to being eliminated. If neither is expected to be voted off of the show in the coming weeks, the value is almost always on the underdog. If both are expecting an imminent exit in the near future, the favorite in the match-up might offer value.
Watch for American Idol betting odds on each of the contestants shortly and good luck with these American Idol betting strategies.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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