Rays try to make it two straight in Cleveland

Baseball Betting Lines

07/25/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After snapping their 18-game slide at Progressive Field, the Tampa Bay Rays will try for a series win this afternoon in the finale of their three-game series against the Cleveland Indians.

Ben Zobrist's replay-reviewed three-run homer began a stretch of six unanswered runs, as Tampa Bay defeated Cleveland, 6-3, on Saturday.

Carlos Pena also homered for the Rays, who hadn't won in Cleveland since September 28, 2005. It was the longest active losing streak by one club at one particular venue.

David Price (13-5) moved into a tie for the AL lead in wins after allowing three runs, three hits and four walks while fanning five in seven-plus frames. Rafael Soriano earned his 25th save.

Shelley Duncan hit a two-run homer for the Indians, who are 7-2 after the All- Star break. Mitch Talbot (8-9), pitching against the team that traded him last offseason, gave up five runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Despite the loss, Talbot managed to tie a team record by striking out six consecutive batters from the first through the third innings. He struck out a career-high eight overall.

This afternoon the Rays will give the ball to Wade Davis, who is looking for his third consecutive victory. The last time the right-hander was on the hill he led the Rays to an 8-1 victory over Baltimore.

In the victory, Davis tossed eight innings, allowing just one run on seven hits. The young hurler surrendered just one walk and struck out three batters. It was the third road win on the year for Davis, who has a lackluster 4.88 earned run average in eight starts outside of Tropicana Field.

Earlier this season the Florida native made his first-ever start against Cleveland and in that outing he grabbed a victory after holding the Tribe to just two runs in seven innings. Davis did allow four hits and four walks, but did strike out four batters as well.

As for the Indians, they will turn to Justin Masterson, who is winless in his last three starts. The young hurler is currently stuck in a major slump, having won just once over his past seven outings.

The last time the hard-throwing right-hander was on the bump, he allowed three runs against Minnesota. In the 6 1/3 innings of work Masterson allowed seven hits, but also collected seven strike outs. Despite the mediocre performance Masterson did not factor in the 4-3 victory.

Earlier this season Masterson surrendered five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits and three walks against Tampa Bay. That outing is similar to Masterson's efforts against Tampa in his career, as the young hurler is just 1-3 with a 6.49 earned run average against the Rays.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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