Braves turn to Hudson in opener with Rox
Baseball Betting Lines
08/23/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After two of the Atlanta Braves' young guns led the way in
a one-sided victory on Sunday, the team will turn to one of its established
stars in hopes of getting a three-game road series with the Colorado Rockies
off to a good beginning.
Tim Hudson gets the call for Atlanta in tonight's opener and will be out to
continue an outstanding string of recent starts. The veteran ace has amassed a
5-0 record along with an astounding 0.82 earned run average over his last six
outings, lasting at least seven innings and yielding two runs or less on each
of those occasions.
Hudson did see his five-start win streak come to an end in Wednesday's matchup
with Washington, but still held the Nationals to two runs over seven innings
while not getting a decision. The Braves won that game by a 3-2 count and have
prevailed in eight of the All-Star hurler's last 10 trips to the mound.
The 35-year-old is 14-5 over his 25 starts this season, while his 2.15 ERA
trails only St. Louis' Adam Wainwright for tops in the National League.
Hudson hasn't fared well in the past at hitter-friendly Coors Field, however.
In two previous assignments at the venue, he's been tagged for 13 runs and a
whopping 19 hits in just nine innings while losing both times. Overall against
the Rockies, he's 3-2 with a 4.65 over five starts.
Atlanta may not have to worry about Hudson struggling if its offense performs
like it did on Sunday, when the current NL East leaders banged out 13 hits and
swatted four home runs in a 16-5 rout of Chicago that turned out to be the
final game for Cubs manager Lou Piniella.
Rookies Jason Heyward and Mike Minor were two of the standouts for the Braves
in yesterday's big win. Heyward had the first two-homer game of his big league
career and finished 4-for-4 with four RBI and four runs scored, while Minor
struck out 12 Chicago hitters in six innings to pick up the win.
Minor did allow an early two-run homer to Aramis Ramirez and three runs over
the game's first three innings, but settled down afterward to improve to 2-0
in three starts since being promoted from the minors earlier this month.
Omar Infante also had a big day at the plate for Atlanta, which won for the
ninth time in its past 12 games. The valuable utilityman, who's taken over as
the regular third baseman following Chipper Jones' season-ending knee injury,
went 4-for-6 with a pair of homers and four RBI while scoring four times.
Sunday's effort raised Infante's season average to .349 and extended his
hitting streak to 11 games, with the 2010 All-Star batting .447 (21-for-47)
with three homers over that tear.
Derrek Lee, acquired by the Braves from the Cubs earlier in the week, knocked
in three runs against his former team on Sunday, with Alex Gonzalez
contributing a two-RBI single to Atlanta's offensive outburst.
"We were hitting the ball really good today," Braves manager Bobby Cox said
afterward. "We had some guys with great games out there today, and whenever
you have hitting like that you win more often than not."
With the win, Atlanta remained 2 1/2 games ahead of Philadelphia for first
place in the NL East.
Colorado received some impressive pitching from one of its rookies as well on
Sunday, with youngster Jhoulys Chacin firing 7 2/3 shutout innings to lead his
club to a 1-0 verdict over Arizona at Chase Field.
Chacin (6-9) surrendered just three singles and a walk while striking out nine
Diamondbacks before exiting with two outs and a man on in the eighth. Joe
Beimel came on to get the final out of the frame and preserve the one-run
margin, with Huston Street then tossing a perfect ninth to notch his 10th save
and end the Rockies' three-game losing streak.
"If [Chacin] commands his fastball like he did today, you're in trouble,"
Rockies manager Jim Tracy remarked after the game. "That's how good his stuff
is."
Dexter Fowler ended 2-for-3 for Colorado and drove in the game's only run with
a single in the top of the eighth. The hit plated Eric Young Jr., who had
singled with one out and stole second to move into scoring position.
Jason Hammel will try to make it two wins in a row for Colorado when he
opposes Hudson tonight, with the Rockies starter also seeking to improve his
already-strong numbers at Coors Field. The right-hander is 6-1 with a 3.36 ERA
over 11 home starts this season and hasn't lost in Denver since an April 26
setback to the Diamondbacks.
Hammel's last three starts have come on the road and he compiled a 1-1 record
with a 4.26 ERA over that stretch. After being reached for four runs in seven
innings of a loss to the New York Mets on August 12, he rebounded to limit the
Dodgers to two runs and just four hits in a six-inning no-decision this past
Wednesday.
The 27-year-old, who's 8-7 with a 4.36 ERA in 22 overall starts this season,
also hopes to atone for a poor showing against the Braves back on April 16. In
that game Hammel was battered for seven runs and eight hits before being
lifted after only 1 2/3 innings, with the result raising his ERA to an ugly
12.66 in three career matchups with Atlanta. He's 0-2 lifetime versus the
Braves.
Atlanta won two of three bouts in that early-season series at Turner Field and
split a four-game set with the Rockies in Denver last season.
<< NL playoff hopefuls square off in San Francisco
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Francisco Giants return home seeking to bounce
back from a tough road trip, while the Cincinnati Reds aim to continue their
success on a West Coast swing when the two playoff hopefuls open up a key
three-game series t
<< Thrashers re-sign Little
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed forward
Bryan Little to a multiyear contract, the team announced Monday.
The 22-year-old Little, a restricted free agent, dropped from 31 goals and 51
points in 2008-09
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they continue their seven-game road trip on the West Coast with a matchup
against Scott Kazmir and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium.
Kazmir pitched
<< Raptors' Calderon to miss worlds with leg injury
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon
will miss the 2010 FIBA World Championship after injuring his leg in Spain's
exhibition game against the United States.
Tests Monday revealed Calderon tore a mu
<< Division leaders collide as Rangers host Twins
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers return home to face the Minnesota Twins
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Texas, vying for i
Myers tries to derail Phils' playoff hopes >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An outstanding recent stretch has the Philadelphia
Phillies in position for a possible fourth consecutive trip to the postseason.
You can bet Brett Myers will be determined to stop that roll from continuing.
Myers will fa
Cards hope to right ship in Steel City >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals have fallen out of first place in
the National League's Central Division due to their inconsistent play as of
late. A few games against the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates may help get them back
in a groove.
Cubs head to DC without Piniella >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When the Chicago Cubs begin a six-game road trip with
tonight's first of three straight meetings with the Washington Nationals, they
won't have their manager along for the ride.
Still stunned by the abrupt retirement of Lo
Serena will return in Tokyo next month >>
Tokyo, Japan (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 1 Serena Williams plans on making
her return to the court at next month's Pan Pacific Open, which will commence
September 26 in Tokyo.
The 28-year-old Williams has been sidelined since suffering
Stoke's Sidibe out for season with Achilles injury >>
Stoke-on-Trent, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe
will miss the remainder of the Premiership season, it was confirmed by the
club on Monday.
Sidibe snapped his Achilles tendon in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Tot
MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South
In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
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