AL West-leading Rangers continue set vs. Twins

Baseball Betting Lines

08/25/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers seem to be cruising to their first American League West title since 1999 and C.J. Wilson is a big reason why. Tonight, the reliever turned starter goes for a 13th win when the Rangers resume a four-game series against the Minnesota Twins at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Wilson won his second straight start and his fifth consecutive decision on Friday in Baltimore, as he came within an out of his first career shutout, holding the Orioles to three hits to improve to 12-5. He also struck out a career-high 12 batters in the win.

"[Wilson] just found the spot in that strike zone and he stayed there," said Rangers manager Ron Washington. "He and the umpire were on the same page all night. He threw some good changeups, spotted his fastball, threw a few breaking balls. But for the most part, he stayed off the middle of the plate and made them work for their at-bats."

Wilson's 12 wins and 3.02 earned run average are both tops among Texas starters who have thrown to a 4.15 ERA this season, the lowest mark for the group since 1992.

However, the Twins have given Wilson some trouble, as he is 0-2 with a 3.41 ERA in 18 games (one start) against them. He lasted six innings in his lone start with Minnesota back on May 28, and was charged with the loss for allowing five runs and four hits.

Texas made it three straight wins on Tuesday, as Michael Young overcame two errors by hitting the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning, lifting the Rangers to a 4-3 win. Josh Hamilton belted his 29th homer of the year for Texas, which has won four of five.

"The last two games we've showed the caliber team we are," Hamilton said. "I go back to three things, we can do all three...we can pitch, we can hit and we can play defense. If we consistently do that on a night to night basis, it's going to be hard to beat us."

One night after a near combined-no hitter, the Rangers used four pitchers to edge the AL Central-leading Twins. Colby Lewis allowed seven hits and three runs over 6 1/3 frames. Darren Oliver (1-1) threw 1 1/3 innings and escaped a jam in the top of the seventh to get the victory. Darren O'Day recorded the final out in the eighth inning and Neftali Feliz pitched the ninth for his 32nd save.

Michael Cuddyer stroked a two-run double in the first inning for Minnesota, which has lost back-to-back games for the first time since August 2-3 at Tampa Bay. The Twins are now 3 1/2 games ahead of the White Sox, who beat Baltimore on Tuesday.

Carl Pavano (15-9) threw his sixth complete game of the season and 13th of his career after allowing eight hits and fanning five batters.

Minnesota will turn tonight to their hottest starter in lefty Brian Duensing, who owns a 5-0 mark with a 2.18 ERA in seven outings (six starts) since the All-Star break. Duensing won his third straight start on Friday against the LA Angels of Anaheim, as he allowed run and seven hits in eight innings to push his record on the year to 7-1 to go along with a 1.92 ERA.

Duensing is 1-1 in four games (one start) against the Rangers with a 1.74 ERA.

Minnesota swept the Rangers in a three-game set at Target Field earlier in the year and has won seven of the last 11 matchups in the series.

Broadcsat Baseball Betting News

<< White Sox battle Orioles, seek to trim Central deficit
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago White Sox haven't been playing great baseball over the past few weeks, but were able to trim their deficit in the American League Central standings with last night's win over the Baltimore Orioles. The White So

<< Padres aiming for more mastery of Diamondbacks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres will try to stay unbeaten at home this season versus the Arizona Diamondbacks when the two National League West inhabitants continue a three-game series tonight from Petco Park. The Padres are 7-0 this

<< Red Sox, Mariners set for doubleheader at Fenway
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If the Boston Red Sox are going to get back to the postseason, they are going to need Josh Beckett to start pitching like Josh Beckett. Then again they would be in even better shape if he starts to pitch like S

<< Yankees righty Hughes takes hill in Toronto
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Phil Hughes goes for win No. 16 this evening when the New York Yankees play the rubber match of their three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Hughes won his second straight start on Thurs

<< Tigers shoot for home sweep of Royals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers take aim at their sixth straight win this afternoon when they try to complete a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. The Tigers continued to roll on Tuesday, as Will Rhyme

Rays' Niemann gets the call at Angel Stadium >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays got a boost on Tuesday with the return of Wade Davis. Today they hope for that same kind of lift when Jeff Niemann returns from the disabled list to face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the fin

Phils send Halladay to hill to face Astros, Happ >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A 16-inning marathon in their last game has put a strain on the Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen. Fortunately for the two-time defending National League champions, they'll have one of baseball's premier workhorses ready to go t

Cubs shoot for sweep in DC >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Cubs may have been shocked at first by Lou Piniella's sudden retirement, but the team appears to be handling the changing of the guard at the managerial position quite well. Chicago goes for a sweep of its init

Division leaders continue set in Arlington >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers seem to be cruising to their first American League West title since 1999 and C.J. Wilson is a big reason why. Tonight, the reliever turned starter goes for a 13th win when the Rangers resume

Canucks sign Torres >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Vancouver Canucks have added depth to their roster by signing Raffi Torres. TSN of Canada reported on Wednesday that the left winger was given a one-year contract worth $1 million. Torres, 28, split t

Matt Kenseth And Kevin Harvick Favorites To Take NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship

(September 15)—The NASCAR season has hit the homestretch with the opening event on this year’s Chase for the Cup taking place this weekend at the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. With 10 races remaining to determine the Cup Series champion, leading online sportsbook MySportsbook.com today announced odds on all 10 Chase qualifying drivers capturing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

One of the largest sportsbook sites on the Internet, MySportsbook.com currently lists the top two drivers in the point standings as the early favorites to win the Nextel Cup. Entering the Chase for the Cup with a slim five-point lead in the point standings, 2003 NASCAR champ Matt Kenseth has been made a slight favorite to win his second Cup at 7/2 betting odds. 2001 Cup Rookie of the Year Kevin Harvick has betting odds listed at 5/2 and four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon is listed at 6/1 to capture the Nextel Cup this year.

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father who won six NASCAR titles, Dale Earnhardt Jr. stands at 8/1 to breakthrough with his first Cup victory. Staying with the family theme, MySportsbook.com lists 2005 Rookie of the Year Kyle Busch at 14/1 to succeed big brother Kurt’s 2004 NASCAR title. While Kasey Kahne was the final driver to qualify for the Chase with a third place finish last week, the oddsmakers give him a fighting chance at 10/1 mainly due to several mile-and-a-half tracks remaining on the schedule. Despite going winless on the NASCAR circuit this season, Jeff Burton enters the Chase at 5/1 to capture the Cup title. Meanwhile, rookie Denny Hamlin is 4/1 to win the championship, while veteran driver Mark Martin enters the Chase for the Cup as a 15/1 long shot to win his first NASCAR title in his 24th and final season.

MySportsbook.com will offer comprehensive Nascar betting lines on every race remaining on the Nextel Cup series including driver match-ups, props and odds to win each race. For a complete list of NASCAR odds, please visit www.MySportsbook.com.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts US credit cards needs.