Red Sox aim to stay in playoff mix, take series from O's

Baseball Betting Lines

09/02/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox have missed the playoffs only once in the previous seven years, but are in danger of being left out for the first time since the 2006 campaign.

The Red Sox are seven games off the wild card lead and eight games behind for the top spot in the American League East Division, and will shoot for a series win tonight against the division-foe Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. They were able to even the set with Wednesday's 9-6 come-from-behind victory in which Boston scored six runs during the seventh inning.

Marco Scutaro hit a two-run homer, Victor Martinez plated a run with a double and Adrian Beltre capped the scoring with a three-run blast for the Red Sox, who rebounded from Tuesday's series opening loss and improved to 2-3 on a six- game road trip. J.D. Drew also homered in the win. Beltre needs three RBI for 1,000 in his career and leads the Red Sox with 91 for the season.

Jon Lester started for the victors and recorded the win, despite allowing eight hits and five runs over six innings. The lefty, who fanned 10 batters, is now 13-0 lifetime against the Orioles.

"I don't think it really matters how many losses in a row we have or wins," Lester said. "We just need to chip away and get some wins. It's obviously nice to come back tonight and do that."

Jonathan Papelbon posted a scoreless ninth for his 34th save.

Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka has allowed four runs in three straight and four of five starts, and is expected to take the mound Thursday night. He is 0-1 with a 5.31 earned run average in his last three trips to the hill and did not record a decision in his last start on August 21 versus Toronto.

The right-hander lasted eight innings and was reached for four runs and six hits with eight strikeouts. He has struck out at least six batters in four straight starts and is 8-4 in 19 outings this season. Matsuzaka, who is 4-2 in 11 road appearances this season, made his 2010 debut at Baltimore on May 1 and suffered the loss in the 12-9 decision. The Orioles posted seven runs -- six earned -- in 4 2/3 innings against the Japanese hurler.

Matsuzaka is 3-2 with a 5.65 ERA in seven career starts against the O's.

Baltimore scored four runs in the first inning and had a 5-3 lead before surrendering six runs in the seventh. Mark Hendrickson took the loss for his contributions to the explosion, as he allowed three runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Jake Arrieta tossed the first five innings and allowed three runs on six hits with five strikeouts, while Alfredo Simon was also touched for three runs in relief for the Orioles, who had a four-game winning streak halted.

"Jake battled his way through five innings and kept the damage to a minimum, but there are a lot of good players over there with a track record, and they make you pay for the mistakes you do make," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said on the club's website.

Showalter is still one win away from 900 career victories. He will become the 64th manager in baseball history to achieve the feat.

Adam Jones drove in two runs in last night's loss, and both Ty Wigginton and Felix Pie finished with two hits and an RBI. Jones left the game in the seventh inning with back soreness, but should be able to play today. Jake Fox took over for Jones in the outfield.

Since losing five consecutive starts more than a month ago, Orioles starter Brad Bergesen has turned things around to the tune of a 3-0 mark with a 2.70 ERA in his last six starts, with his team going 5-1 in that span. He is slated to make his 25th appearance (23rd start) Thursday night.

In his most recent start at Angel Stadium last Friday, Bergesen held the homestanding Angels to only a run and four hits in eight innings. The righty improved to 6-9 with a 5.55 ERA this season.

Bergesen is 1-1 in two starts against Boston this season and 1-2 lifetime with a 3.71 ERA in four starts in this series.

Boston and Baltimore have split 14 matchups this season.

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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

To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.