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07/19/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Struggles on offense cost the Washington Nationals the chance to open the second half with a three-game sweep. Chances at the plate could be hard to come by again tonight against the Cincinnati Reds' Johnny Cueto.
Cueto will look to continue his solid season and keep the Nats off the scoreboard for a third straight contest Monday night in the opener of a four- game series at Great American Ball Park.
The 24-year-old Cueto went 8-2 with a 3.42 earned run average in the first half, going undefeated in his final four starts (2-0) before the break while pitching to a 0.83 ERA over his last five starts, allowing just three earned runs in that span.
Cueto, though, did not factor into the decision of his final two starts, including July 8 in Philadelphia. The right-hander allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits and two walks over seven innings of his team's eventual 4-3 loss in extra innings.
Cueto is 2-2 with a 5.56 ERA in four career starts versus Washington, but struggled when he last faced them. In that Aug. 15 meeting, he was drilled for seven runs in just 2 2/3 innings.
J.D. Martin got the victory for the Nationals on that day, holding the Reds to just one unearned run over six innings on his only career start versus Cincinnati. He'll seek similar results tonight after notching his first victory of 2010 on July 7 versus the Padres.
The 27-year-old righty, who had lost his first four decisions of the season, limited San Diego to a pair of runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings and is pitching to a 3.35 ERA in seven starts this year. Martin is winless in five road starts in 2010, going 0-3 with a 3.77 ERA.
Martin may be working with limited room for error after the Nationals were shut out in back-to-back games by the Marlins over the weekend after taking Friday's opener by a 4-0 margin. Washington lost two of three despite outhitting Florida, 27-14, to begin a 10-game road trip.
Ryan Zimmerman and Cristian Guzman each had a single and stole a base for Washington, which has dropped four of five and wasted six innings of one-run ball by Craig Stammen.
"I had good breaking stuff today, good slider, good curveball," Stammen said. "My sinker was good. The wind was helping my ball move today, so it was tough on the hitters."
The Reds have also struggled offensively as of late. They dropped a pair of 1-0 games before the break, but rebounded to score 11 runs in taking the first two contests of their three-game weekend set with the Rockies. However, they suffered another 1-0 loss in Sunday's finale to lose for the fifth time in seven games overall and fall a half-game back of the Cardinals for first place in the National League Central.
"That 1-0 score is killing us right now," remarked Cincinnati skipper Dusty Baker. "In all of them we had opportunities with runners at third and less than two outs."
That includes the ninth inning, when Drew Stubbs singled with one out before going to third on Ryan Hanigan's pinch-hit base hit. Chris Heisey and Brandon Phillips then both struck out to end the game as Cincinnati stranded 10 runners in all.
Travis Wood, who got a no-decision on July 10 versus the Phillies despite taking a perfect game into the ninth inning of a 1-0 loss, gave up just a run on three hits over six innings.
The Reds were without All-Star third baseman Scott Rolen for a second straight game due to illness, while Jay Bruce was given the day off to rest. Both players could return tonight.
The Reds took two of three in Washington on June 4-6, but it was the Nationals who took three of four at Cincinnati last season.
<< Red Sox limp into Oakland
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While the Boston Red Sox continue to lose ground in the
American League playoff chase, the Oakland Athletics are doing their best to
stay in the hunt.
The resurgent Athletics try to extend their season-best winning streak
<< AL Central-leading White Sox continue trip in Seattle
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago White Sox ended the season's first half as
the hottest team in baseball, but things haven't gotten so smoothly since the
club returned from the All-Star break.
The American League Central leaders will try to
<< Kennison retires as a Chief
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Long-time Kansas City wide receiver Eddie
Kennison signed a contract Monday to announce his retirement as a member of
the Chiefs.
Kennison spent seven of his 13 NFL seasons with the Chiefs, catch
<< Surging Blue Jays to face sliding Royals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Blue Jays try to make it four straight wins
when they open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals this evening
at Kauffman Stadium.
The Jays battered the woeful Baltimore Orioles this past weekend,
Cubs hope to stay hot versus Astros >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The confidence level in the Windy City has to be high after
how easily the Chicago Cubs handled the two-time defending National League
champion Philadelphia Phillies this weekend at Wrigley Field.
Chicago's chances of keep
Phillies aiming to get on track against first-place Cardinals >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies have handled the St. Louis
Cardinals pretty conveniently the past few years. That may change when the
struggling Phils pay a visit to Busch Stadium Monday for the first of four
consecutive matchups w
Jimenez goes for win No. 16 in south Florida >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Both the Rockies and Marlins have struggled on offense in
the second half. Given Tuesday's pitching matchup, neither team is likely to
break out at the plate on Monday night.
National League All-Star starter Ubaldo Ji
Dodgers head home to face Giants >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After getting swept in four games at St. Louis over the
weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers are back at home and will try to regroup in
tonight's opener of a three-game set versus the NL West-rival San Francisco
Giants at Chavez
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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