Cubs hope to prove they are kings of the Hill versus Arizona

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07/21/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lefty Rich Hill can put a little more distance between himself and a recent tailspin today when the Chicago Cubs host the Arizona Diamondbacks in game two of a three-game weekend set at Wrigley Field.

Hill, a 27-year-old from Boston, allowed four hits and two runs over eight innings in his last start, defeating San Francisco, 3-2, on July 16.

The victory snapped a five-start drought for the former second-round draft choice, who had gone 0-2 with three no-decisions heading toward the All-Star break.

Hill has made three lifetime starts against Arizona, going 1-1 with a 5.00 earned run average.

Rookie right-hander Micah Owings goes for the Diamondbacks in search of his first win since June 20. The 24-year-old has gone 0-4 with a no-decision in his last five starts since a 7-4 defeat of Tampa Bay had lifted his record to 5-1.

In his last outing, on July 16, he gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings, losing a 4-3 decision to Milwaukee.

On Friday, Aramis Ramirez drove in the tying run and scored the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, and later added a three-run homer as the red-hot Cubs defeated the struggling Diamondbacks, 6-2.

Jacque Jones drove in a pair of runs for the Cubs, who have won three straight and continue to put pressure on the NL Central-leading Brewers, now trailing Milwaukee by 2 1/2 games. Mike Fontenot had two hits, scored three runs and stole two bases for Chicago, which has won seven of eight on its 10-game homestand.

Jason Marquis (7-5) started for the Cubs and picked up the win, allowing two runs on four hits over 7 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out three and walked one to pick up his second win in three starts. He combined with Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry on the four-hitter.

Chris Young hit a two-run homer for the Diamondbacks, who have dropped two straight and five of six on the road.

Arizona starting pitcher Brandon Webb (8-8) was solid, but still suffered his third straight loss over his last four starts. The right-hander allowed three runs -- two earned -- on five hits, striking out four and walking one over seven innings.

Arizona has had recent success against Chicago. It won four of six against the Cubs in 2006, and is 13-7 against them since the start of the 2004 season.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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