Cubs' Silva tries to put woes behind him in Arizona

Baseball Betting Lines

07/06/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cubs' offensive struggles have caught up to starter Carlos Silva, but the right-hander has reason to be encouraged given his team's performance on Monday.

Chicago will try to win back-to-back games and help its hurler halt a four- start winless stretch this evening in the second contest of a three-game series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Silva began the season by winning his first eight decisions, but has gone 0-2 over his last four starts despite a solid 3.04 earned run average. The Cubs have scored two runs or less in three of Silva's last four starts and have lost each outing.

The 31-year-old, who has a 2.96 ERA on the season, faced the Reds on Thursday and pitched a season-high 7 2/3 innings, yielding two runs on 11 hits with six strikeouts. However, despite his 12th quality start of the season, he got a no-decision.

"That wasn't easy," Silva told Chicago's website. "I had to work hard today, every inning. The good thing was I was able to get out of every inning. Unfortunately, we didn't win the game."

Silva is 4-0 with a 3.06 ERA in six road starts in 2010, but 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in seven games -- two starts -- lifetime versus Arizona. He faced them on May 1 at home and yielded three runs on eight hits, including a pair of homers by Mark Reynolds and one by Justin Upton, in a no-decision.

He'll hope his offense can back him today like they were able to do for Tom Gorzelanny on Monday, as Geovany Soto and Starlin Castro drove in two runs each in a 9-4 victory. It was the Cubs' fourth straight victory over the Diamondbacks and they have outscored Arizona 37-19 in that span.

Alfonso Soriano added a pinch-hit, two-run homer to surpass 800 career RBI, while Gorzelanny allowed three runs over five innings.

Soriano and Derrek Lee both did not start Monday's game to rest, while third baseman Aramis Ramirez returned after missing two consecutive games because of an aggravated left thumb injury.

Arizona's Ian Kennedy lost his fourth straight start after allowing seven runs in 5 2/3 innings, while Kelly Johnson drove in two runs in defeat. The club has now dropped three in a row after winning in Kirk Gibson's managerial debut last Friday.

"The most frustrating part is I want these guys to feel the success for the work they put in, but the game just doesn't do that sometimes," Gibson said. "The Cubs hit some balls hard and they hit some that found holes."

Rookie Barry Enright felt nothing but success in his major league debut last Wednesday and he looks to win his second game in as many starts tonight. The 24-year-old faced the Cardinals and held them to a run on four hits and four walks over five innings, fanning five in a 4-2 victory.

"It's a surreal feeling. It was a fun time," Enright said of his debut.

The right-handed 2007 second-round pick out of Pepperdine joined Arizona after going 4-1 with a 2.88 ERA in 14 starts this year with Double-A Mobile.

Cbssporstline Baseball Betting News

<< Phils go for another win over NL East-leading Braves
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top of the National League East got a little tighter after the Phillies took yesterday's opener of a three-game series with the first-place Braves. Philadelphia will try to inch a little closer to the top spot

<< Pirates begin series against hosting Astros
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two of the bottom teams in the National League get together tonight when the Houston Astros host the Pittsburgh Pirates in game one of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. The Astros, who finished fifth in the NL Centr

<< Wilson aims to pitch Rangers into win column vs. Indians
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - C.J. Wilson tries to get the Texas Rangers back on the winning track this evening when they resume their three-game series with the Cleveland Indians at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Texas fell for the fourth time in its

<< Cardinals pay a visit to Colorado
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of 2009 playoff teams get together tonight, when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Colorado Rockies for the first of three straight games at Coors Field. The Cardinals, who won the National League's Central Divisi

<< Red Sox go with Doubront versus Rays
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Felix Doubront returns to Boston's rotation this evening when the Red Sox continue their three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Doubront will be stepping in for an injured Clay Buchholz, who was p

Votto, Reds resume set with Mets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While the Reds' Joey Votto said he has moved past not being selected for the National League All-Star team, there is little doubt he had some extra motivation when he homered twice in Monday's series opening win over Ne

Brewers aim to rebound vs. Giants >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For Brewers shortstop Alcides Escobar, the All-Star break can't come soon enough. The 23-year-old will try to shake off his third crucial error in two games this evening when Milwaukee hosts the San Francisco Giants

Twins send Pavano to hill in Toronto >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last time Carl Pavano faced the Toronto Blue Jays he was rocked in only four innings of work. The Minnesota Twins hurler will shoot for redemption tonight in the opener of a three-game series at Rogers Centre. Pavano

Colaiacovo returning to St. Louis >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Blues have reportedly re-signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Colaiacovo has agreed to a two-year deal worth $4.25 million. T

Rivens returns to Coastal Carolina >>
Durham, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One-time North Carolina Central assistant coach Antoine Rivens has returned to the university to become the tight ends and offensive tackles coach for the Eagles. Rivens spent the last seven seasons at Coastal C

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BETTING

NCAA Football Betting

Many fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.)

"To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good."

Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins

There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida.

Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins

Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October.

USC Trojans - 10.5 wins

A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention.

Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy

Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2
He won it last year, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to do it again, making him just the second player to go back-to-back. Ohio State's Archie Griffin turned the trick in 1974 and 1975, and Tebow's coach, Urban Meyer, is pretty sure his star quarterback can match the Buckeyes legend.

"There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach."

Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1

The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines.

Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1

If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J.

Stay with us here as we take you through the best in NFL action on a consistent basis, with advice columns as well as handicapping selections. If you're looking for college football betting, that's in our NCAA section, which you can reach by clicking here. And if you're looking for a different kind of football, such as the Canadian Football League, which we'll deal with occasionally, or the Arena Football League, which we really like, you can find it in our Miscellaneous section by clicking

Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting lines .
To visit this sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sports betting

MySportsbook.com week 1 NFL lines


Now that the 2008 NFL schedule is finally out, it is only matter-of-course for lines on “Week 1” to follow.  Of course MySportsbook.com is the first to churn out odds for the NFL’s inaugural week for the upcoming season.   Expect a lot of fireworks the first Thursday night of the season as the defending champion Indianapolis Colts face off against the surprise of the 2008 season, the New Orleans Saints.  These teams were ranked #1 and #3 in the NFL respectively a season ago so a high scoring affair could be in order.  As of now, the Colts will be giving 6 points to the Saints; keep in mind the Saints were one of the better road teams last season going 6-3 SU and 7-2 ATS.  The first Monday night of the season will again provide a “double feature”. Coming off a disappointing season, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to get back to playoffs and improve their public image as they take on the AFC North favorite Baltimore Ravens.  The second game features a couple of teams that haven’t had too much success recently but each could make some noise if the NFC is as weak as it was last year as the San Francisco 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals. The most interesting game of the opening week will feature the NFC champion Bears as they hit the road to take on the NFL’s top team during last year’s regular season, the San Diego Chargers.

MySportsbook.com Week 1 odds:

Saints +6 @ Colts -6

Falcons @ Vikings (pick ‘em)

Panthers @ Rams (pick ‘em)

Broncos -3.5 @ Bills +3.5

Chiefs -1 @ Texans +1

Dolphins +3 @ Redskins -3

Patriots -5 @ Jets +5

Eagles -3.5 @ Packers +3.5

Steelers -4 @ Browns +4

Titans +6 @ Jaguars -6

Bears +6 @ Chargers -6

Lions +3 @ Raiders -3

Bucs +6.5 @ Seahawks -6.5

Giants +4 @ Cowboys -4

Ravens +3 @ Bengals -3

Cardinals +3 @ 49ers -3

 Super Bowl line (2008)

NFC +6.5 vs. AFC -6.5

MySportsbook is a large, publicly traded company with strong financial backing. You will find their customer service is second to none and their web site is extremely user friendly and easy-to-use. All major professional sports games are available. Once you signup with MySportsbook, you may never use another online sportsbook again.

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