Angels, Mariners continue set at Big A

Baseball Betting Lines

07/17/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have owned the Seattle Mariners this season and they will try to continue that dominance tonight as the squads resume a four-game set at Angel Stadium.

Following last night's 3-2 result, the Angels are now 9-2 versus Seattle this season, including seven straight victories in the series.

Jered Weaver pitched seven innings of two-run ball, as the Angels held off the Mariners for the 3-2 victory in the second test of a four-game series.

Weaver (9-5), who gave up six hits, snapped a two-start skid. The right-hander fanned five batters and walked zero to improve to 10-3 in 17 career starts versus Seattle.

"Me and Felix (Hernandez) had some good battles," Weaver said. "I am glad we got the win tonight. Our guys put some good at-bats against Felix and scored three runs."

Kevin Frandsen and Bobby Abreu each had an RBI for the Angels, who won 8-3 in the opener of this series on Thursday. Los Angeles remains 4 1/2 games back of Texas for the top spot in the AL West.

Justin Smoak hit a two-run homer for Seattle, which has lost three in a row and 11 of 13 overall. It was Smoak's first homer in a Mariners uniform after he was acquired from Texas as part of the Cliff Lee deal.

Felix Hernandez (7-6) allowed three runs on 10 hits in an eight-inning start. The right-hander also struck out three and walked zero in his first loss since June 8 against the Rangers. It was his fourth complete game in his last six starts.

"I thought Felix pitched great," Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said. "Early he got hurt with his fastball, but he settled down after the third inning. It's a shame we couldn't get him some more runs."

The Mariners will surely need a lot of run support for tonight, as Ryan Rowland-Smith toes the rubber. The left-hander has just one win in 16 starts and he is 0-5 with a 7.38 ERA in nine road appearances this season. In his last appearance on Sunday, Rowland-Smith lasted only four innings, allowing six runs - four earned - and six hits in an 8-2 loss to the New York Yankees.

Despite boasting a 2.84 ERA, Rowland-Smith is 0-2 in four career starts against the Angels. He last faced them on June 5th, when he gave up just one earned run over five innings. He did not factor in the decision, an 11-2 home loss.

Joe Saunders gets the call for Angels and he will try to continue his mastery of Seattle. In 13 career starts versus the Mariners, Saunders is 8-1 with a 3.58 ERA. He has faced them three times this season, going 1-0 but with just a 5.06 ERA.

The left-hander, though, has had some struggles of late and is just 1-3 with a 5.90 ERA over his previous five overall appearances. He last started on July 7th, when he gave up five earned runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 5-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Vegaas Baseball Betting News

<< Marlins ace Johnson squares off with Nats
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Josh Johnson can match a Washington pitching gem with one of his own tonight, when the Florida Marlins ace takes on the Nationals in the second test of a three-game series between NL East Division foes at Sun Life Stadium

<< Astros vie to continue mastery of Buccos
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Astros can continue a season's worth of success against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight, when the teams get together for the middle game of a three-game series at PNC Park. Houston made it seven in a row aga

<< Reds starter Volquez takes ball vs. Rockies
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One-time Cincinnati staff ace Edinson Volquez makes a long- awaited return to the major leagues tonight, when the Reds host the Colorado Rockies in the middle game of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park. A 1

<< Soderling to meet Almagro in Swedish Open finale
Bastad, Sweden (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top-seeded Swedish stalwart Robin Soderling and Nicolas Almagro will square off in the Swedish Open final after each won their respective semifinal matches on Saturday. Soderling lost the first set for

<< Cubs seek another win over visiting Phils
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's been all smiles for the Chicago Cubs on their current homestand and they'll go for a series victory this afternoon in the third test of a four-game series versus the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field. The Cubs o

Twins hope to make up more ground vs. White Sox >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Twins will try to make up some more ground on the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox, as the teams continue a four-game set tonight at Target Field. Last night, Joe Mauer had two hits, including a bi

A's try to keep rolling in Kansas City >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Athletics take aim at their fourth win in a row tonight, as they resume a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. On Friday, Kevin Kouzmanoff drove in two runs and Gio Gonzalez

Rangers lefty Lee toes rubber in Boston >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cliff Lee is hoping for a better showing in his second start for Texas, as the Rangers and Boston Red Sox continue a four-game series tonight at Fenway Park. Lee, who was acquired on July 9th in a six-player deal wit

Yanks bring momentum into second test with Rays >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Coming off an emotional win, the New York Yankees will now try to put even more distance between them and the Tampa Bay Rays, as the two AL East foes continue a three-game set today at Yankee Stadium. Last night, Ni

Jays shoot for more success against O's >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Blue Jays will try to continue their mastery of the Baltimore Orioles, as the clubs resume a three-game set tonight at Camden Yards. The Blue Jays have won all seven meetings this season with Baltimore and th

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard