08/15/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With only six weeks remaining in the regular season, each turn of the schedule has more and more significance.
For the Minnesota Twins (67-53), their current nine-game homestand presents a huge opportunity to gain some ground in their playoff push. The Twins, who own a 41-22 record at home this season, are within a game of the first-place Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.
Minnesota certainly got its homestand started on the right foot this week by taking two of three from the New York Yankees. As recently as Monday, the Twins moved into first place in the division by knocking off the Yankees, 4-0.
Starter Glen Perkins allowed just four hits while pitching eight shutout innings to earn the win in that one, just one day after the birth of his second daughter.
"It's a great feeling," Perkins said. "I always pitch for my family. But to do that on a day after you have a baby is really special. You get a little bit extra (of a boost) when you are in a situation like that."
But Minnesota lost Tuesday's contest in heartbreaking fashion. Delmon Young forced extra innings by blasting a three-run homer off Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
How rare a feat was Young's blast? It was the first ever for a Twins player off Rivera. However, in the 12th inning Matt Guerrier surrendered a solo homer to Alex Rodriguez and a two-run shot to Xavier Nady, and the Twins fell, 9-6.. And just like that, Minnesota found itself back in second place behind the White Sox.
But the Twins won Wednesday's rubber match, 4-2, thanks in part to another three-run homer by Young. Starter Kevin Slowey pitched six innings and allowed only one run on three hits.
The homestand continues this weekend with three games against the Seattle Mariners (46-74), then three more against the Oakland Athletics (55-65).
GARDENHIRE NOTCHES WIN NO. 600
Minnesota's 4-0 win over the Yankees Monday night was the 600th career victory for manager Ron Gardenhire. Apparently, that news was, well, news to Gardenhire.
"They told me (about the milestone) after the game," he told reporters. "You know what? I don't pay much attention to it. It's a team thing. It's great to win 600 games, and you are fortunate to have a job, and I'm very proud of that."
Gardenhire is one of 11 active managers to have reached 600 wins, though his .551 winning percentage is second only to Atlanta's Bobby Cox (.558).
INJURY NEWS
Michael Cuddyer, who spent a good portion of the summer on the disabled list with a strained tendon in his left index finger, is now on crutches with a broken left foot.
The latest injury, and his third trip to the DL this season, happened last week when he took a line drive off the top of his foot. He will be out for at least four weeks, certainly a big blow to a Twins lineup that had eagerly been awaiting his return.
Alexi Casilla, who is trying to recover from a torn ligament in his right thumb, vowed there is a "100 percent" chance that he'll be back with the team in Anaheim next Thursday. He had his splint removed Wednesday and was cleared to resume baseball activities Friday. A brief rehab assignment is scheduled to begin early next week.
Joe Mauer sat out Tuesday's game with a sore neck, but was back in the lineup on Wednesday,
WHO'S HOT
Young in addition to his clutch power surge this week, is hitting .307 over the past 25 games.
WHO'S NOT
Nick Punto has regressed, hitting just .181 over a 21-game span.
A LOOK AHEAD
Francisco Liriano (2-3, 6.55) gets first dibs against the Mariners tonight, as he will square off with former Twin Carlos Silva (4-13, 5.93). Scott Baker (7-3, 3.78) will start Saturday's contest opposite Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-1, 3.71). And on Sunday, Glen Perkins (9-3, 4.07) will close out the series against Ryan Feierabend, who is in line to make his first start of the season. Minnesota kicks off its series with the A's on Monday.
<< Rockies try to pin another loss on lowly Nationals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Nationals will try to halt their seven-game
losing streak this evening, when they begin a three-game series against the
visiting Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park.
Washington's offense has flatlined ove
<< Braves host Giants in battle of struggling clubs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Both the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves are
currently riding four-game losing streaks. One of those clubs will get back on
track tonight, when Atlanta hosts San Francisco in the opener of a four-game
series
<< Pettitte tries to lead Yanks over KC in the Bronx
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees hope to put a disastrous road trip
behind them this evening when they play the first of three games against the
Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees finished their 10-game trek with
<< U.S. men announce roster for World Cup qualifier
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - United States mens national team coach Bob
Bradley named a 17-player roster Thursday that will travel to face Guatemala
in the team's first game of the semifinal round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA
World
Inverness signs striker Rooney from Stoke City >>
Iverness, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Inverness signed striker Adam Rooney from
Stoke City on a three-year deal Friday.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international was expected to join the SPL
side on loan, but the two clubs agreed to
Promoted Hamilton hopes to build on great start >>
Hamilton, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hamilton Academical coach Billy Reid was
thrilled after his club won its season opener Monday.
Hamilton, which was promoted to the Scottish Premier League for the first time
in nearly 20 years this sea
Lyon forced to adjust without injured Clerc >>
Lorient, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Seven-time Ligue 1 champions Lyon opened the
season with a convincing victory over Toulouse last week, but the game was also
costly with starting right back Francois Clerc suffering a knee injury that may
side
Valencia signs Silva to new five-year deal >>
Valencia, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Valencia signed Spain midfielder David Silva
to a new improved five-year contract to put an end to talk of him leaving this
summer.
The 22-year-old was recently the subject of an offer from Manchester U
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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