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07/27/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two weeks after the Texas Rangers acquired the marquee pitcher in this year's trade market, Angels general manager Tony Reagins answered the bell on Sunday by acquiring the other top pitcher.
By trading Joe Saunders and a trio of prospects to Arizona in exchange for three-time All-Star Dan Haren, Reagins sent a message that the Angels are not willing to go quietly into the night. Right away, Haren will join Jered Weaver atop the rotation to give the Halos a very formidable one-two punch.
There is no disputing that Los Angeles is a better ballclub with Dan Haren. In Haren, L.A. gets a guy who has regularly logged 200-plus inning seasons since 2005, and who left Arizona as the NL leader with 141 strikeouts and only 29 walks. Weaver leads all Major League pitchers with 147 punchouts. But the real question is, how much better are the Angels? And is the addition of Haren enough to close the 7 1/2-game gap separating the Angels and the first-place Rangers?
To his credit, Reagins did acquire third baseman Alberto Callaspo from the Kansas City Royals last Thursday. However, while Haren does rank among the elite pitchers in the game, the fact remains he was 7-8 with a 4.60 ERA upon joining his new team, and he has given up 23 home runs on the year. And, on the same day they acquired their new starter, the Angels dropped a 6-4 decision at Rangers Ballpark. Texas took three of four in the head-to-head series to widen the margin between the division rivals. The Angels have lost six of nine meetings this season. Still, they are not conceding anything just yet.
"We still have a lot of games left against each other," Hideki Matsui said. "It's too early to quit now."
Contract-wise, Haren is locked up through 2012 with an option for 2013. His yearly salary will bump up from $8.25 million this year, to $12.75 million each of the next two seasons. His 2013 option is for $15.5 million and comes with a $3.5 million buyout.
Talent-wise, Reagins said he sees Haren as being on Lee's level.
"I would say he has that potential," Reagins said. "Cliff is obviously a dominant pitcher. Dan Haren is a dominant pitcher. We're not expecting him to be the guy. We're expecting him to do what he does -- give us quality innings and help us accomplish our goal."
Haren made his first start as an Angel Monday night against Boston, but left in the fifth inning after being hit in the right forearm by a line drive from Kevin Youkilis. After the game Haren said he was a little sore but he wasn't worried about the injury. In the meantime, the Angels will hold their breath until Tuesday's X-ray results come back. Before leaving, Haren racked up eight strikeouts and no walks in 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits.
In any case, to truly accomplish their goal of surpassing the Rangers, the Angels will need more than just Dan Haren. Specifically, they haven't found a replacement for injured first baseman Kendry Morales and his run production. And the bullpen has allowed a league-high 45 percent of its inherited runners to score.
If Reagins has proved anything in recent seasons, it's that he's not afraid to wheel and deal to improve his ballclub at the trade deadline (see Mark Teixeira, Scott Kazmir). With Saturday's trade deadline fast approaching, Reagins has said he will continue to keep an eye out for other opportunities.
A'S KEEPING PACE
While they aren't exactly nipping at the heels of the Texas Rangers, the Oakland Athletics have gotten hot enough lately to remain very much in the conversation for the AL West title. Winners of nine of their last 11, the A's (50-48) entered Tuesday tied with the Angels for second place in the division.
Beginning Tuesday night in Arlington, they'll have a shot to narrow the gap a bit more as they take on the Rangers in a three-game series. They'll meet up again in Oakland during the first week of August.
"It's just another series, but at this stage, every series is a big series," A's manager Bob Geren said of the upcoming schedule. "We'll see them again at home soon, so those are six big games right there."
Standing in Oakland's way in the series opener Tuesday night is newly-acquired ace Cliff Lee, who is coming off his first win as a Ranger. He'll oppose A's starter Gio Gonzalez, who has won three of his last four starts.
Meanwhile, All-Star closer Andrew Bailey is expected to be available Tuesday night. Bailey (1-3, 1.56 ERA, 20 saves) has not pitched for a week because of an upper back strain. In addition, outfielder Rajai Davis may return after missing three straight games with a strained hamstring. Davis and Bailey both benefited from the team's off day Monday. Starting pitcher Brett Anderson made what is expected to be his final rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday. He could rejoin the rotation August 2 against Kansas City.
The A's will need all hands on deck, as 12 of their next 15 games come against teams that are currently in first place.
BIG STRETCH AHEAD FOR RANGERS
Already with a 7 1/2-game cushion in the AL West, the Texas Rangers can expand that margin the old-fashioned way, with some head-to-head matchups against the very teams that are chasing them.
Beginning with this past weekend's series against L.A., Texas plays 16 straight games versus division opponents. On the season, the Rangers are 17-8 against division foes, and nearly half of their final 67 games will be played against the AL West.
Manager Ron Washington said he was happy to take three of four from the Angels, but conceded there are still a lot of games left to be played. Starting pitcher Tommy Hunter, who has set a team record by winning his first eight games to start the season, said he feels pretty good about his team's chances. While the Rangers are most renowned for their potent lineup, Hunter said it's the defense that has gotten somewhat overlooked.
"We have a great infield, a fast outfield that can run down balls and a pretty good catching crew," Hunter said. "That's what it is. Look at the plays that were made behind me. It happens every time out. I'm just happy to come out and have these guys behind me. It's pretty tough to beat with those guys in there."
FIGGINS FALLOUT IN SEATTLE
If this was Chone Figgins' way of letting the organization know that he wants out of Seattle, consider the message notarized, signed, sealed and delivered. In the fifth inning of Friday night's game against Boston, manager Don Wakamatsu approached Figgins and told him that he was being benched for lack of effort on a play at second base.
Figgins took issue with the decision, confronted his manager, and had to be separated by several teammates in the dugout. In what has been a historically bad season for Seattle, Friday's mess was the boiling point.
Since then, the players and coaches alike have talked about moving on. On Saturday, Figgins sat down with Wakamatsu and general manager Jack Zduriencik to clear the air. Following their sit-down, a closed-door team meeting was held. While nobody has discussed the details of those meetings, the takeaway message had to do with accountability.
"It's more about the play," Wakamatsu told the Seattle Times. "It's not so much about the individual. There's some accountability with, not just (Figgins), but we're asking of everybody. Again, when there's tight ballgames and one or two plays affect the outcome, it seems to be more critical."
The M's went on to win two straight against Boston over the weekend, before Monday's 6-1 loss to Chicago in the opener of a seven-game road swing.
<< U.S. U-20 forward Salgado signs with MLS
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - United States U-20 forward Omar Salgado signed
with Major League Soccer on Monday, and will be eligible for the 2011 MLS
SuperDraft.
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New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with
free agent forward Alexander Frolov.
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Chester, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Union acquired midfielder
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<< Prairie View A&M names Wilson head women's basketball coach
Prairie View, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Prairie View A&M University named Toyelle
Wilson the head women's basketball coach on Tuesday.
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Bolton signs Alonso from Real Madrid >>
Bolton, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bolton signed 19-year-old left back Marcos
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Mainz, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mainz acquired striker Adam Szalai from Real
Madrid on Tuesday.
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to a permanent switch through the 2012-13 season for an undisclo
Calgary's Bryant highlights CFL Players of the Week >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Calgary wide receiver Romby Bryant, Montreal
defensive end John Bowman, Winnipeg kick returner Jovon Johnson and Calgary
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of the
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Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Take away Houston's straight-up and
against-the-spread non-conference records in 2009, and Conference USA was a
meat market for its opposition. The Cougars were 3-1 both SU and ATS outside
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After all the trouble that’s ensued since Braylon Edwards allegedly punched one of LeBron James’ homeboys in the face at a club, the Cleveland Browns have sent away their last remaining player of worth to the New York Jets. This is a great move for Dirty Sanchez and all, but it’s even better for the Knicks. Now Donnie Walsh can say, “You get to haunt Braylon Edwards with your posse if you sign here!” next summer.
Putting that aside for a moment, the move is a clear indication that the new-look Jets are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. I don’t think that New York thought that Dirty Sanchez was going to be such a rock star. With a 75.2 passer rating that was killed against the Jets, Sanchez is doing an admirable job of managing games and putting the Jets in a position to win. The defense has been the major story in New York thus far, but the acquisition of Braylon Edwards makes this offense loaded with talent that can dent any defense…as long as Dirty Sanchez continues his meteoric rise.
Thus far, Edwards has been a non-factor in the NFL piling up just 139 receiving yards on 10 catches. He has yet to find the endzone, and with the Browns mired in the most unsexy quarterback controversy of all time (Anderson vs. Quinn...yawn), there going nowhere fast. Edwards is two seasons removed from a career year which saw him catch 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns when the Browns were the spread killing monsters of 2007. In 2008, injuries slowed the receiver down to just 873 yards and three touchdowns though he played in all 16 games.
So that being said, we really don’t know if Braylon Edwards is just a flash in the pan, or a legit threat. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a prototypical receiver. But he’s also shown a strange, and unwarranted, talent for dropping passes. Lining up opposite Jericho Cotchery, a speed demon with 23 catches, 356 yards and a single touchdown, may give Braylon the open looks he needs. A change of scenery may also rejuvenate the star receiver.
In return, the Browns will receive Chansi Stuckey, online football betting a special teams player you’ve never heard of and a pair of draft picks. That’s a tall order for a guy whose only real value right now is in his name, and it shows no promise to the Browns that they can rebuild around those acquisitions. Braylon was the only reason to hope for the Browns to go 3-14 SU this year. Without him, they don’t have a single guy on offense that can scare any team.
For the Jets, it’s a response to the pounding that they took at the hand of the Saints. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have averaged around 4.0 yards per carry each on the ground, but striking a fair balance between the passing and rushing attacks in New York has been a struggle. You have to believe that the trio of Dustin Keller, Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will give Sanchez the weapons he needs to unleash through the air. Theoretically, that would open up holes for the rushing game. But the proposed public option health care plan works in theory too. We need to see the proof in the pudding before we start loading up mega bucks on the New York Jets to take the AFC.
The one wrinkle in this whole thing is that Braylon could very well be suspended by the league for disciplinary action due to his “brawl” with LeBron’s friend. If that’s the case, the Jets may have to bench him for a few games leaving them with a somewhat depleted receiving corps for a few games. Also, this is a guy who gets in fights with people at clubs. New York may not be the best place for him. Just sayin’.
The Jets have a long week before they meet the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football Betting in a virtual pick ‘em game. Braylon’s excess baggage may be a distraction, and his curiously low production may be what we should be expecting of him overall, but for the Jets, taking a chance to strike gold is well worth it. At the end of the year, they can simply just blame it on their rookie quarterback.
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.
Super Bowl XLIII is now set, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will meet each other on February 1st in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium to battle it out for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. The game kicks off at 6:00pm ET on NBC with announcers Al Michaels and John Madden covering the on-field action. Super Bowl XLIII betting odds at online bookmaker MySportsbook.com have the Steelers listed as an early -6.5 against the spread favorite.Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds
Pittsburgh earned their passage to the big game by beating their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, 23-14 in yesterday's AFC Championship Game. The Steelers jumped on Baltimore early, building a 13-0 first half lead, and never let up on their way to a fairly easy win. Although the Ravens did close to within two points in the fourth quarter, it never appeared as if they had enough offense to pull off the upset.
The Steelers dominating defense held Baltimore to a total of 198 yards while allowing them to convert just three third downs in 13 attempts. Pittsburgh also forced quarterback Joe Flacco into three interceptions, one of which safety Troy Polamalu returned fourty yards for a touchdown.
The Cardinals, by far the playoff team with the longest odds to reach Super Bowl XLIII, did so yesterday with a 32-25 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. Arizona charged out of the gates and built a 24-6 halftime lead that had the Eagles venerable defense reeling. Quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald did most of the damage, connecting on three first half touchdowns.
Arizona, however, could not sustain their momentum and the Eagles took a 25-24 with 10:45 left to play in the fourth. The Cardinals, with the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance hanging in the balance, mounted a fourteen play, 72 yard touchdown drive that consumed 7:52 off the clock. Warner hit running back Tim Hightower on a short screen for the go-ahead, game clinching score that will forever live in Cardinal infamy.
MySportsbook.com's Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds:
Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5 (-110), Over 46.5 (-110), -260 (Money line)
Arizona Cardinals +6.5 (-110), Under 46.5 (-110), +220 (Money line)
Matt Foust won both of his conference championship plays yesterday and he is ready to serve up plenty of Super Bowl action. Each individual play costs $15.00, however, MySportsbook.com recommends purchasing Matt's NFL Playoff Package which includes all of Matt's Super Bowl props and picks from just $45.00.
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