Cool heads prevail as Rays nip Red Sox
Baseball Betting Lines
06/30/2008 -
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Gabe Gross smacked a two-run homer to
help the Tampa Bay Rays down the Boston Red Sox, 5-4, in the opener of a
three-game AL East battle at Tropicana Field.
B.J. Upton hit a solo home run, while Carlos Pena and Jonny Gomes each had an
RBI for the Rays, who have won six of seven, hold the best record in the
majors and lead Boston by 1 1/2 games for first place in the division.
James Shields (6-5) got the win as he gave up two runs on five hits with a
walk and five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
The teams were meeting for the first time since June 5, when a huge brawl
erupted in the bottom of the second inning after Shields hit Coco Crisp with a
pitch and the benches cleared. Eight players in total were suspended due to
the incident. Crisp is currently serving his five-game suspension and will
miss the entire series.
J.D. Drew hit a solo homer and Mike Lowell went 3-for-4 with an RBI for the
Red Sox, who scored twice in the ninth inning but left the potential tying run
at third base. It was their third straight loss.
Justin Masterson (4-2) was tagged with the loss as he gave up four runs on
five hits with five walks and five strikeouts in six innings.
Troy Percival took the mound to close out the game in the ninth, but got into
trouble. After striking out Manny Ramirez, Lowell roped a double to left-
center and Kevin Youkilis followed with an infield single. Brandon Moss then
lofted a high fly ball to right field that Gross appeared to have lined up,
but the ball hit off a catwalk and dropped into shallow right allowing Lowell
to score. Jason Varitek then hit another fly ball to right field, but Gross
was able to catch this one and Youkilis scored on the tag-up to make it
a 5-4 game.
Percival left the game after the play as he came up lame when he went over to
cover third base on the play. He took a few pitches to try and work it out,
but was unable to continue. J.P. Howell took the mound and got Julio Lugo to
line out to short and picked up his second save of the year.
Upton gave the Rays a quick lead in the first as he drilled the first pitch he
saw over the center field wall.
Shields cruised through the first three innings as he retired Boston in order
over those frames and stuck out four batters.
However, the Red Sox got on board in the fourth. Dustin Pedroia beat out an
infield single and Ramirez later walked. Lowell followed with a single to left
that plated Pedroia and tied the game.
The Rays regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Dioner
Navarro kept the inning alive with a walk and Gross followed by drilling a 2-1
pitch deep into the right field seats.
Tampa worked another two-out run in the fifth as Willy Aybar walked and Pena
chased him home with a double for a 4-1 lead.
Boston made it a two-run game in the sixth on Drew's two-out shot into the
right field bleachers.
In the seventh, Boston had runners on first and second with one out, but Grant
Balfour come on in relief and got Varitek to foul out and Lugo to ground out
to kill the threat.
The Rays tacked onto their lead in the seventh courtesy of a fielder's choice
from pinch-hitter Gomes that plated Carl Crawford for a 5-2 lead.
Game Notes
The Providence Journal reported on Monday that Ramirez pushed Boston traveling
secretary Jack McCormick in the visitors' clubhouse on Saturday in Houston
after McCormick told Ramirez that he might not be able to come up with the 16
tickets the player requested for that night's game. The two later met behind
closed doors and Ramirez apologized to McCormick...The home team has won all
10 games between the clubs this season, with the Red Sox taking the previous
six after getting swept in St. Petersburg in April...Red Sox DH David Ortiz
said on Monday that he will not play in the upcoming All-Star game due to his
injured left wrist. He is currently leading all players at the position in fan
balloting.
<< Griffey's late blast leads Reds past Pirates
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ken Griffey Jr. blasted a game-winning two-
run home run in the ninth for his 603rd career four-bagger, giving the
Cincinnati Reds a dramatic come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh
Pirates
<< Lightning quick: Tampa Bay signs Malone, Prospal, Roberts
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Lightning made a big splash in the
free agent market on Monday, signing forwards Ryan Malone, Vinny Prospal and
Gary Roberts.
Malone's deal is for seventh years and worth an estimated $31.5 mi
<< Lohse continues winning streak, Mulder returns as Cards crush Mets
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kyle Lohse threw seven strong innings to win
his seventh consecutive decision as the Cardinals blew out the New York Mets,
7-1, on a night Mark Mulder made his return to the majors.
Lohse (10-2) allowed fi
<< Federer, Nadal roll into Wimbledon quarters
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roger Federer moved into his sixth
straight Wimbledon quarterfinal on Monday by handling former world No. 1
Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets, while two-time runner-up Rafael Nadal also
moved o
<< Sabres sign C Gaustad to four-year contract
Buffalo, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Sabres re-signed centerman
Paul Gaustad to a four-year, contract on Monday.
"We felt it was very important to sign Paul to a multi-year deal at this stage
of his career," Buffalo genera
Jamison staying with Wizards >>
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Forward Antawn Jamison will be staying in
Washington as the two-time All-Star signed a contract extension on Monday.
Reports earlier on Monday had the deal at four years and $50 million.
"Signing Antaw
Rangers use strong bullpen to edge Yankees >>
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Josh Hamilton and Chris Davis each knocked in a
run to push the Texas Rangers past the New York Yankees, 2-1, in the opener of
a three-game set.
Michael Young went 3-for-4, including two doubles, for the Rang
Griffey hit game-ending HR as Reds top Pirates >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ken Griffey Jr. blasted a game-winning two-
run shot in the ninth inning for his 603rd career homer, giving the Cincinnati
Reds a dramatic come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in
the open
Baltimore's Cintron leaves game >>
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baltimore Orioles shortstop Alex Cintron left
Monday's game against the Kansas City Royals in the seventh inning with an
apparent hamstring injury. Baltimore lost the game 6-5.
Cintron pulled up holding
Swisher slams Sox past Tribe >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nick Swisher hit a grand slam and a solo home
run as the Chicago White Sox clubbed the Cleveland Indians, 9-7, in the opener
of a three-game set.
Jim Thome added a three-run home run while Orlando Cabrera w
MySportsbook.com : Fortune Favors Favorites in March Madness betting?
Just like Day 1 of the “Sweet 16”, Friday’s games are chock full of some of the nation’s elite. Unlike Thursday’s games, there is a little bit more of a “Cinderella” feel as #7 seed UNLV and #6 seed Vanderbilt will attempt to move on to the Elite Eight. With powerhouses Florida, UNC and Georgetown looking to continue their momentum against lesser known teams, it isn’t surprising that once again the “betting public” is backing most of the favorites. As the early coin rolls in, 56% of Sportsbook.com bettors prefer Georgetown (-7.5) as they take on Vanderbilt; 84% of the early money is backing Oregon (-3) as they square off against UNLV; and a slight majority (52%) of the early cash is on Florida (-10.5) against Butler as the Gators continue their quest for another National Title. The only favorite the public don’t seem confident in is UNC, as 59% of the cash is backing the underdog Trojans (+8).
Midwest
#1 Florida vs. #5 Butler
The defending National Champs have been on a mission since last April. Joakim Noah and Al Horford turned down millions of dollars for one reason, to REPEAT. After a late season hiccup which saw them lose three out of four, the Gators have won six straight by an average of 20.3 points. More importantly, they covered in five of those six games. Behind their stymie defense that yields only 56.9 PPG, Butler has been a very pleasant surprise this season. As their 20-11 ATS record will indicate, “surprise teams” like Butler are often good bets for gamblers. Playing in an average conference, Butler wasn’t and underdog too often but when they were, they covered (6-0 ATS). Butler’s defense will have its hands full against a Gators offense which averages 80.1 PPG on an amazing 52.9% shooting from the field. With Florida’s tournament experience over the last few years, it isn’t surprising that they are 5-1 ATS this season, 20-4 ATS over the last three seasons and 38-20 since 1997 in tournament action.
#3 Oregon vs. #7 UNLV
As a #7 seed, UNLV is the closest thing to a “Cinderella” we have this year. If you bet on UNLV this season with any regularity, you most likely cashed in. Behind their guard oriented attack, the Rebels are an impressive 20-11 ATS this season. As an underdog they covered in 8 out of their ten games which isn’t surprising since they are 52-30 ATS as a ‘dog since 1997. The Rebels have been a consistent cover during the month of March as well. This March they are 6-0 ATS, 11-3 ATS over the last three seasons and 24-11 since 1997. Their impressive ATS trends don’t end there; versus teams with a winning record they are 15-6 ATS this season and 41-21 over the last three seasons. Although Oregon hasn’t been as generous to gamblers as UNLV this season, they have been covering consistently as of late. There is no question that they are playing their best ball of the season having won their last 8 straight up (SU) by an average of 14.5 points. Not surprising they covered in 7 of those games. It is interesting to note how similar these teams are in regards to scoring and scoring defense. UNLV averages 75 PPG while giving up 66.5 PPG and Oregon scores 75.8 PPG while yielding 65.5 PPG.
East
#6 Vanderbilt vs. #2 Georgetown
“Hoya Paranoia” is officially back! After a decent start, Georgetown has rolled through the second half of the season. Over their last 18 games, they are 17-1 SU. They have definitely improved ATS as the season has progressed as well. After opening the season 1-4-1 ATS, the Hoyas have covered 78.3% of their games. With their great interior play of Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas as a team shoot 50.5% from the field. Like the Georgetown teams from years ago, they also excel on defense. Hoya opponents averaged only 56.8 PPG on 38.2% shooting from the field and an extremely low 30.4% from beyond the arc. The last stat could be of some concern to Vanderbilt considering they shoot 37.7% from long-range. Ranking second to last in the SEC in rebounding margin, Vanderbilt will have its work cut out for them against the Hoya trees. As far as covering is concerned, Vanderbilt has been almost a “sure thing” (7-1 ATS) versus good defensive teams that allow less than 64 PPG.
#1 UNC vs. # 5 USC
The Tar Heels are as talented and as deep as any team in the country. Going ten deep and chock full of HS All-Americans, UNC averages 86.1 PPG and scored 100+ seven times. Led by All-American forward, Tyler Hansbrough (18.6 PPG 7.9 RPG) UNC has a very balanced attack which can kill you on the inside as well as on the perimeter. UNC only real concern is their youth as eight of their rotation players are either sophomores or freshmen. UNC was a reliable cover this season going 20-13 ATS. An intriguing covering trend for the Tar Heels in recent years has been how they fared after non-conference games. This season they are 11-3 ATS after non-conference games and over the last three seasons they are 31-13 ATS. USC is also a pretty deep team which is loaded with swingman types. An match-up to keep an eye on will be freshman forward Taj Gibson (12.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) as he squares off against the AA Hansbrough. USC has been a covering machine this season achieving a 21-10 record ATS. They have thrived in the underdog role, having covered 10 out of 12. When playing a team with a winning record, the Trojans are an incredible 20-6 ATS. Keep in mind, USC dedicated their season to former star to Ryan Francis who passed away before the season so as they get closer to the ultimate goal, emotion could definitely be on their side.
With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action. Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at this sportsbook “Betting Trends”. By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.
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