Another round of the Freeway Series begins in Anaheim

Baseball Betting Lines

06/22/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Dodgers have fallen out of first place in the National League's West Division due to a current four-game losing streak. The team's lack of success against the area-rival Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim has gone on considerably longer.

Anaheim will be out to maintain its recent mastery of the Freeway Series when these two teams start up a three-game set at Angel Stadium this evening.

The Dodgers had held a slim half-game edge on San Diego for the NL West's top spot before its present slide, which has plunged Joe Torre's squad into third place in the standings and two games off the pace. The last three defeats were given by red-hot Boston over the weekend at Fenway Park, with the Red Sox completing the sweep with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.

That loss was the seventh in nine games for the Dodgers, a skid that began with three setbacks to the Angels at Chavez Ravine from June 11-13. Anaheim has now won 16 of the past 23 meetings in this series and owns an 8-3 record at Angel Stadium over that span, although the Dodgers did take two of three bouts from the Halos at the Big A last season.

The Dodgers were stymied by Clay Buchholz and two Boston relievers on Sunday, managing just four hits in the shutout loss. Two of them came from former Red Sox great Manny Ramirez, who went 5-for-12 with a homer and three runs scored in his first appearance against his former club since his controversial midseason trade to Los Angeles in 2008.

"[The Red Sox] did a lot of things better," catcher Russell Martin told the Dodgers' official site following Sunday's game. "The main thing is the whole lineup, top to bottom, they get quality at-bats and keep coming at you, fighting, and they capitalize on your mistakes. They pitch well. They're a tough team to beat."

The Dodgers fell again despite a strong showing from starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (6-5), who held Boston to two runs and matched a season high with nine strikeouts in his seven innings of work.

Clayton Kershaw will try to give the Dodgers another solid pitching performance when he takes the mound for the visitors tonight. The talented youngster has been in top form as of late, having won three straight decisions to run his season record to 7-3. Since being tagged for seven runs in just 1 1/3 innings during a May 4 loss to Milwaukee, he's posted a 6-1 mark with a 1.82 earned run average and limited opposing hitters to a .187 average, with the Dodgers prevailing in all but one of those games.

Kershaw was outstanding once again this past Wednesday in Cincinnati, where he yielded one run and struck out seven over 7 1/3 innings in the Dodgers' win over the Reds. He fanned a season-best 10 St. Louis Cardinals in his previous start back on June 9, while allowing three runs through seven frames to notch another victory.

The 22-year-old did not oppose the Angels in this season's earlier edition of the Freeway Series, but he's given them problems in the past. Kershaw has permitted just one run in 12 innings over two previous matchups with Anaheim and tossed seven shutout frames in a win at Angel Stadium last season.

Kershaw will be taking on an Angels squad that's gone 13-5 since June 2 and had put together three straight wins before a 12-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs Sunday at Wrigley Field. Anaheim enters tonight's play 3 1/2 games behind scorching Texas, winners of eight in a row, for the lead in the AL West.

The Cubs roared out to an 8-0 lead after three innings of Sunday's rout, with all eight runs charged to Angels starter Joe Saunders (5-8). The left-hander was rocked for five earned runs and nine hits before exiting after only 2 2/3 innings.

Torii Hunter accounted for the Angels' lone run with a fourth-inning double, with Kevin Frandsen, Hideki Matsui and Mike Napoli each collecting two hits in the setback.

The Angels will be hoping for a better result from tonight's starting pitcher, Ervin Santana. The 2008 AL All-Star has struggled in his past two assignments, though, surrendering a total of 11 runs (10 earned) and 17 hits over 10 innings in back-to-back losses to Oakland and Milwaukee. Against the Brewers on June 15, he was tagged for six runs and 10 hits in only five innings.

Santana had been on a roll before those two rough games, winning five consecutive starts from May 15-June 5 and registering an excellent 1.80 ERA during that stretch. He's had problems at times pitching at home, however, as his 5.12 ERA in six Angel Stadium appearances this season will attest.

The right-hander is 2-3 with a 3.94 ERA in five previous starts against the Dodgers. Like Kershaw, Santana did not pitch when these teams met earlier in the month.

Santana likely won't have to face Rafael Furcal in tonight's opener. The Dodgers' shortstop and leadoff hitter is expected to sit out a fifth straight game due to the death of his father in the Dominican Republic last week.

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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines. 

American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.