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07/25/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With Ben Sheets hitting the disabled list Dallas Braden will head to the hill for Oakland, as the Athletics battle the Chicago White Sox this afternoon in the finale of a three-game set at the Coliseum.
Sheets, who was suppose to start for the A's this afternoon and who is 2-2 in his last four outings, will head to the DL with an injury to the same elbow that kept him away from baseball all of last season. Sheets is no stranger to the disabled list, as this will be the hard-throwing right-hander's seventh trip.
As for Braden, he is making his second start since returning from the disabled list. On Tuesday against Boston the southpaw did not last long in his return to the rotation, surrendering four runs -- one earned -- on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings. Braden did strike out six batters, but remained winless for Oakland since tossing his perfect game on Mother's Day.
The California native has made 10 starts at the Coliseum this season and despite having a 3-4 ledger, the lefty possesses a solid 3.06 ERA.
This will be the second career outing for Braden against Chicago. In his only other meeting with the Pale hoes, Braden surrendered three runs in seven innings and struck out four batters in a no decision.
The White Sox will rely on Daniel Hudson, who will be making his third start since being called up from Charlotte. After a rough outing in his debut against Seattle, the Virginia native was much more effective against Seattle, as he held the Mariners to just one run on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. The young hurler collected six strike outs and overcame four walks for the win.
Hudson made one relief appearance against Oakland in his brief career and in 2 1/3 innings of work, the right-hander surrendered two runs on five hits.
On Saturday, Kurt Suzuki had three hits, including a home run, to lead the Athletics in a 10-2 rout of the White Sox.
Suzuki, who signed a contract extension on Friday, scored twice and knocked in two runs for the Athletics, who have won eight of 10 and improved to 23-10 in day games this season. Jack Cust homered twice and walked three times, while Daric Barton had two hits and two RBI in the victory.
Vin Mazzaro (6-2) pitched six solid innings for the win, allowing two runs, three hits and three walks while fanning five.
Ramon Castro's two-run homer provided Chicago's lone offense, as the White Sox lost for the fifth time in eight games. Freddy Garcia (9-4) was blasted for five runs, six hits and three walks in just 1 1/3 frames to take the loss.
<< Carpenter, Cards try to avoid three-game sweep at Wrigley
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chris Carpenter goes after win No. 12 this evening when
the St. Louis Cardinals try to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the
Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Carpenter won his second straight start on Tuesday agains
<< Happ returns to Phils to face Rockies
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former rookie sensation J.A. Happ takes the mound for the
first time since April today, when the Philadelphia Phillies host the Colorado
Rockies in the third test of a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park.
On Saturday, J
<< Padres hope to get the brooms out in Pittsburgh
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres will try to complete a three-game
sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon at PNC Park.
The Padres won for the sixth time in eight games since the All-Star break on
Saturday, as Everth Cabrera an
<< Braves, Marlins play rubber match in South Beach
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jair Jurrjens tries to win his fourth straight decision
this afternoon when the Atlanta Braves close out a three-game series with the
Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium.
Jurrjens has gone 3-0 in his four starts since ret
Shin denies Pressel, Thompson at Evian Masters >>
Evian-les-Bains, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former world No. 1 Jiyai Shin
birdied the 18th hole Sunday to earn a one-shot victory at the Evian Masters,
her seventh win on the LPGA Tour.
Shin made five birdies for a five-under 67, fi
Mets wrap up disastrous road trip at Chavez Ravine >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - R.A. Dickey targets his first win in six starts this
afternoon when the New York Mets wrap up what has been a disastrous road trip
with the finale of their four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at
Dodger Stadium.
Giants, Lincecum go for sweep in Arizona >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Lincecum tries to bounce back from a shaky effort his
last time out when the San Francisco Giants close out a four-game series with
the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Lincecum escaped without getting a decision o
Detwiler makes season debut in finale with Brewers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lefty Ross Detwiler makes his season debut today when the
Washington Nationals try to avoid a sweep in the finale of a three-game series
with the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
On Saturday, Ryan Braun drove in Rickie We
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.
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