08/20/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two American League East foes currently headed in opposite directions continue a three-game set tonight at Toronto's Rogers Centre, where the surging Blue Jays shoot for a second consecutive win over the reeling New York Yankees.
New York's fading playoff hopes took another hit in Monday's series opener, when Toronto rallied for a pair of late runs to edge the Bronx Bombers by a 2-1 count. The loss, the Yankees' seventh in their last 10 contests, moved them 6 1/2 games behind the rival Boston Red Sox for the lead in the AL Wild Card standings.
In contrast, the Blue Jays have won three in a row and six of their last seven, and now trail New York by just one game in the battle for third place in the division.
Marco Scutaro snapped a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning with a long fly ball that was misplayed by Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon. The play was ruled a double and brought home Joe Inglett, who had singled off reliever Jose Veras (3-2) earlier in the frame.
New York had another costly gaffe in the top of the ninth, as Alex Rodriguez singled to begin the inning but was thrown out by Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay while trying to stretch the hit into a double. Toronto closer B.J. Ryan then retired the next two hitters to record his 24th save of the season.
Scutaro's hit made a winner out of A.J. Burnett (16-9) after the Blue Jays starter limited the Yanks to one run on five hits over eight outstanding innings. The hard-throwing right-hander racked up a season-best 13 strikeouts in winning his sixth straight start.
New York starter Darrell Rasner also pitched well, allowing just one run and three hits in 6 2/3 frames despite getting a no-decision.
The Yankees would love to get a similar line out of Andy Pettitte tonight. The veteran lefty hasn't pitched particularly well as of late, having gone winless (0-2) in four starts since defeating Boston at Fenway Park on July 26.
Pettitte did deliver a solid seven innings in a no-decision against Kansas City on Friday, a game in which he gave up three runs on six hits and struck out seven. He's also performed well on the road this season, bringing a 7-4 record with a 3.87 earned run average into this evening's test.
The 36-year-old is 16-10 with a 4.16 ERA lifetime against Toronto, but was hung with a loss by the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre last month. Pettitte was reached for four runs over six innings that day.
Coming off the best outing of his brief major league career, rookie David Purcey takes the mound for Toronto for his first-ever appearance against the Yankees.
Purcey notched his second win in the bigs with six shutout innings at Detroit on August 13, with the young left-hander yielding just two hits and three walks. Prior to that start, the 2004 first-round draft choice struck out eight batters over six frames in a home loss to Cleveland on August 8.
In six starts with the Blue Jays this season, Purcey has amassed a 2-3 record with a 5.93 ERA over 30 1/3 total innings.
These divisional foes have split 10 meetings in this year's season series, but the Blue Jays have won three of the four matchups held in Toronto.
<< Brewers, Astros to complete Central clash
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's too bad CC Sabathia can't pitch every night for the
struggling Milwaukee Brewers, who are 8-1 with the big lefty on the hill.
Manny Parra will try to begin a streak of his own when he handles pitching
duties f
<< Rolling Red Sox shoot for another win in Baltimore
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox try for their fourth straight road win
this evening, when they attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the
Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.
Boston continued to thrive without Manny Ramirez
<< Mets' Pelfrey toes rubber versus Braves
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mike Pelfrey tries to win for the 10th time in his last 12
decisions this evening when the New York Mets play the middle test of their
three-game series with the Atlanta Braves at Shea Stadium.
Pelfrey's emergence ha
<< White Sox try to finish off home sweep of Mariners
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The American League Central division-leading Chicago White
Sox will shoot for their fifth straight win and a three-game sweep of the
Seattle Mariners this afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field.
Chicago remained one game
Dodgers send Billingsley to hill versus Rockies >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The pitcher who has emerged into the unlikely ace of the
Los Angeles Dodgers' staff will be asked to play the role of spoiler when the
National League West contenders resume a three-game series against the
visiting Colorado R
Marlins, Giants resume series in San Francisco >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Florida Marlins will be trying to put together a
winning streak for the first time this month when the young club takes the
field tonight against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.
Florida kicked off an import
NASCAR hands out stiff penalties to Gibbs Racing >>
Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - NASCAR came down hard on Joe Gibbs Racing
Wednesday for cheating during Saturday's Nationwide Series race.
Drivers Tony Stewart and Joey Logano were each stripped of 150 points and
their respective
NCAA Football Preview - Texas A&M Aggies >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
2007 SEASON IN REVIEW: Wins in their first three games, including a thrilling
47-45 overtime triumph over Fresno State, had the Aggies feeling pretty good
about the prospect of making some serious noise in th
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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