First-place Braves open second half against Brewers

Baseball Betting Lines

07/15/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Braves have done everything possible in this season's first half to potentially make Bobby Cox's last year as manager a special one.

Seeking to give their manager one more championship before he retires at season's end, first-place Atlanta will hope to get its second half off to a good start this evening in the opener of a four-game series versus the disappointing Milwaukee Brewers at Turner Field.

The Braves own the top home record in baseball (30-10), currently lead the National League East by four games over the New York Mets and are 4 1/2 games up on the three-time defending division champion Philadelphia Phillies. They have won 15 of their last 23 games and had won four in a row before suffering a loss to the Mets on Sunday.

Atlanta also helped secure the NL home-field advantage in the World Series in Tuesday's All-Star Game, as catcher Brian McCann's three-run double with two outs in the seventh inning helped lift the Senior Circuit to a 3-1 victory, its first over the AL since 1996.

"It'd be big for any NL team that gets there," McCann said of home-field advantage. "Being in first place at the break, we've had a lot of guys on our team step up and play big. It was nice just to come out here and be a part of this All-Star Game."

McCann, who hit .267 with 10 homers and 37 RBI in the first half, became the first Braves player to earn All-Star Game MVP honors since Fred McGriff in 1994. He was joined in Anaheim by teammates Martin Prado, Omar Infante, Jason Heyward and Tim Hudson.

Prado, who started at second base due to an injury to Philadelphia's Chase Utley, went 0-for-3, while Infante and Hudson did not get into the game. Heyward missed the game due to an injured left thumb, and the Braves hope the rookie can still flash his power when he returns some time in the second half. He hit 11 homers and drove in 45 runs in 71 first-half games.

Atlanta added some power on Wednesday, when it swapped Yunel Escobar to Toronto for fellow shortstop Alex Gonzalez in a five-player trade. The Braves also dealt pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes to the Blue Jays while getting back a pair of minor leaguers.

The 33-year-old Gonzalez is hitting .259 with 17 homers, six off his career high, and 50 RBI in 85 games this year. Escobar, meanwhile, was hitting just .238 with zero homers and 19 RBI.

Atlanta should also get a boost with the healthy return of Jair Jurrjens, who makes his third start tonight since missing two months of action due to a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old made his return on June 30 and beat Washington with five innings of one-run ball, then got a no-decision versus Philadelphia on July 6 after yielding three runs on two hits and three walks over six innings. Jurrjens is 1-3 with a 5.40 earned run average on the season, but 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three starts at home.

Jurrjens has faced Milwaukee just once before, getting a loss to them on June 5, 2009 after the right-hander allowed four runs on nine hits over seven frames.

The Brewers counter with the red-hot Dave Bush, who has won three of his last four decisions and hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his past five outings. He closed out the first half with a victory over the Pittsburgh on Saturday, yielding two runs on six hits and striking out five over 6 1/3 innings, while improving to 4-6 with a 4.14 ERA this year.

"My last month or so, I've had good command...I'm feeling stronger and gotten in decent rhythm," said Bush after the game.

The 30-year-old righty lost to the Braves on May 11, getting charged with three runs on seven hits over six innings of an 11-3 setback. Bush fell to 1-1 with a 2.33 ERA in four career starts versus Atlanta.

Bush's win over the Pirates was part of a three-game sweep for the Brewers to close out the first half and followed five straight losses. Still, Milwaukee is 8 1/2 games back of first place in the NL Central and begins an eight-game road trip tonight.

"It's nice to come back and sweep and go into the break with some momentum," said All-Star Corey Hart, who hit a game-winning two-run homer in the ninth inning of Sunday's 6-5 finale.

Hart started Tuesday's All-Star Game in right field, while teammate Ryan Braun was in left. However, the duo combined to go 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, though Hart finished third in Monday's Home Run Derby.

Braun went 6-for-12 with two homers, three RBI and five runs scored in the Pittsburgh series, while Hart is tied for the NL lead with 65 RBI and comes out of the break with a five-game hitting streak.

The Braves have won four straight and six of their last seven versus the Brewers, including a three-game sweep at Milwaukee from May 10-12.

Imustlottto Baseball Betting News

<< Rangers open second half at Fenway
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers enter the season's second half in good position to end an 11-year playoff drought. The Boston Red Sox, on the other hand, still have some work to do in order to secure a fourth consecutive trip to the postse

<< Giants, Lincecum welcome a returning Beltran to the Bay Area
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Lincecum didn't help the National League break its lengthy losing streak in the All-Star Game, but the New York Mets may have wished he had. The rested two-time NL Cy Young Award honoree will take the mound when the Sa

<< Szavay stays hot; Dulgheru pulls out in Prague
Prague, Czech Republic (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Last week's Budapest titlist Agnes Szavay was among Thursday's second-round winners, while second-seeded Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania pulled out of the draw at the $220,000 Prague Open te

<< Angels hope to get second half off to good start vs. Mariners
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - No team was happier to see the All-Star break than the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Hopefully recharged, the Angels get their second half started with the opener of a four-game set with the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium

<< White Sox put win streak on the line versus rival Twins
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An eight-game winning streak propelled the Chicago White Sox to the top of the American League Central at the All-Star break. Tonight, they put that streak on the line against a division foe, as they open a four- game set wit

Phillies head to Chicago riding win streak >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies had an up-and-down first half, and it was no different for the club over the season's final week before the All-Star break. They do come out of the hiatus with some momentum, and the Phillies will

Top hurlers to clash in Dodgers-Cardinals opener >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw pitched well enough to be an All-Star, but ultimately did not join four of his teammates in Anaheim for the Mid-Summer Classic. Despite the snub, Kershaw will look to get his sec

Blue Jackets re-sign Sesito >>
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed forward Tom Sesito to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the two-way deal were not disclosed. Sesito appeared in three games for the Blue Jackets last se

Celtic for life: Pierce inks deal with Boston >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics and forward Paul Pierce have reached an agreement on a new contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Boston Herald reported last week the two sides agreed to a deal for four y

Montana adds four transfers >>
Missoula, MT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Head coach Robin Pflugrad of the University of Montana Grizzlies has announced the addition of four transfers to the roster this season. The players are Andrew Badger, Tyrone Duncan, Houston Roots and Antwon

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard

Big Ten Conference odds

Teams that should be in: Michigan State, Indiana
Work left to do: Illinois, Purdue, Michigan, Iowa

Behind the big two, the pecking order might be in a bit of flux. Has Michigan State passed Indiana after handling the Hoosiers in East Lansing? Where is Illinois in that mix? What looked like a four-big league last week could be morphing into five -- and even six is not unthinkable at this point if everything breaks right.

Should be in:

Michigan State [21-8 (8-6), RPI: 20, SOS: 15] The Spartans made it four-for-four on the homestand, a gigantic accomplishment that leaves them in extremely good shape. MSU is only 1-6 on the road and is at Michigan and at Wisconsin to close things out, meaning the date with the Wolverines on Tuesday looms very, very large. Beating Texas early will hold up well, as will the rout of Bradley and the win over BYU, but will 8-8 be enough? It very well could be, as the computer numbers are good, but why chance it?

Indiana [18-9 (8-6), RPI: 24, SOS: 32] Hmm ... good thing the last two are at Northwestern and home to Penn State, because IU might want to get both to feel completely safe after dropping its third in the last four, fading after halftime at Michigan State. Who knew the best nonconference win would be over Southern Illinois, which is a gift that keeps on giving for the Hoosiers. The win over Wisconsin also looks good on the mantel.

Work left to do:

Illinois [21-9 (9-6), RPI: 31, SOS: 25] A good performance at Penn State leaves the Illini in pretty good shape. Can they go to Iowa and take care of business to really look on their way? That's a huge game, as there is a possible cluster of teams that will end at 9-7. Illinois beat Bradley, but has lost to Xavier. A 9-7 mark and a semifinals trip in Chicago could be enough with the computer profile hanging in there, but it would be better not to mess around, clinching at least a tie for third.

Purdue [18-10 (7-7), RPI: 47, SOS: 28] Couldn't get it done at Iowa, but did win at Northwestern to put 9-7 squarely in sight. Where does that leave the Boilermakers, though? Even if they beat Minnesota and Northwestern at home, that won't help the computer numbers. Nonconference wins over Virginia, DePaul and Oklahoma are solid, but not spectacular. The Boilers very well might need an upset in the B10 quarters to have a legit claim.

Michigan [19-10 (7-7), RPI: 55, SOS: 53] Well, Michigan did what it needed to do, winning at Minnesota to take control of its fate. The Wolverines have Michigan State and an already-wrapped-up-the-league Ohio State at home to close, so the chances are there. Win both and we can talk. There is no marquee win yet in the profile, and the Wolverines were splattered in several games against name opponents. A mediocre computer profile fueled by a lack of road wins isn't helping, either.

Iowa [16-12 (8-6), RPI: 80, SOS: 64] For the sake of being complete, we'll add Iowa, this season's Stanford. It's plausible that the Hawkeyes could get to 10-6 (at Penn State, vs. Illinois left), but where does that leave them after a gruesome nonconference performance where the best win was over ... Toledo? Iowa State? Cornell?? If they get to 10-6, we can start to look at what they need to do in the B10 tourney, although my gut sense is that they would need to make the final and have knocked off Ohio State or Wisconsin on the way to have any real claim.

For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com

Additional sports lines can be found at: www.Sportsbooks.com

To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards.