Dodgers aim to regroup in opener vs. Nationals

Baseball Betting Lines

08/06/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's only August, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are in danger of playing themselves out of the playoff race. They'll try to get their struggling offense going tonight versus the Washington Nationals in the opener of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers are just 7-14 since the All-Star break and seven losses in their last nine games have dropped the club six games back of the National League's wild card spot. They have also been held to two runs or fewer in 11 of their last 15 games, hitting .205 in that span.

Los Angeles has been shut out twice in five August games, including Thursday's 5-0 setback to San Diego that gave the Dodgers an unfortunate split of a four- game series.

Chad Billingsley carried a 21 2/3 innings scoreless streak into last night's start and allowed three runs over six innings.

"We had guys in scoring position but [Padres starter Kevin] Correia did a good job. They were better than we were tonight," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said.

Already without Manny Ramirez (calf) and Russell Martin (hip), Rafael Furcal missed last night's game with strained lower back and is unlikely to play in this series.

Starter Clayton Kershaw could use his table setter tonight as he looks to bounce back from a tough-luck loss to the Giants on Monday. The 22-year-old allowed just two runs over seven innings, but lost a 2-0 decision.

Kershaw, who threw eight shutout innings in a victory over the Mets on July 25, is 10-6 on the year with a 2.94 earned run average. That includes a 6-2 mark and 2.88 ERA in 12 home starts.

The left-hander got a no-decision at Washington in April 24 despite six innings of two-run ball and is 2-1 versus the franchise lifetime with a 3.38 ERA in five games, four starts.

The Nationals will also be without their speedster tonight after placing Nyjer Morgan on the disabled list following last night's 8-4 setback to the Diamondbacks due to right hip soreness. Morgan is hitting .261 this year with 29 stolen bases.

Washington also split its four-game set with Arizona as it failed to capitalize on four home runs on Thursday. Ryan Zimmerman notched his fifth multi-homer game of the year and both Adam Kennedy and Roger Bernadina also went deep, but the Nats committed three errors in the setback.

Ross Detwiler took the loss, yielding seven runs -- four earned -- on nine hits with five strikeouts and two walks over four-plus frames.

"We don't make plays when he (Detwiler) pitches," said Nationals manager Jim Riggleman. "Terrible performance by our club."

John Lannan will try to build off a strong start last time out, his first since returning from the minor leagues.

The 25-year-old began the year 2-5 with a 5.76 ERA in 14 starts before a demotion. Lannan returned to major league action on Monday versus Philadelphia and got a no-decision after yielding two runs on seven hits over five innings.

Lannan, a lefty, is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two career starts versus the Dodgers.

The Nationals took two of three at home over the Dodgers back on April 23-25 and have won seven of the last 11 meetings overall.

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Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds  
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.

Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.

Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.

Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

Arizona 20-1

Butler 20-1

Duke 30-1

Florida 7-2

Georgetown 30-1

Indiana 35-1

Kansas 15-1

Marquette 25-1

Maryland 40-1

Memphis 50-1

Nevada 50-1

UNC 9-2

OSU 8-1

Oregon 30-1

Pittsburgh 15-1

Texas 30-1

Texas A&M 18-1

UCLA 6-1

Wisconsin 10-1

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

American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.