Red Sox close homestand with finale against Jays

Baseball Betting Lines

05/12/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox will attempt to close out a long homestand with a result that's been a familiar one so far this season, a win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

With Tim Wakefield set to make his first start in more than two weeks, Boston aims for a three-game series sweep of the Blue Jays this afternoon at Fenway Park.

Last night's 6-1 victory over Toronto was the Red Sox' fifth straight over its American League rival in 2010, as well as the team's 11th in its past 14 overall matchups in this series. The win also improved Boston to 7-2 on a 10- game homestand and two games over .500 (18-16) for the first time this season.

The Red Sox rode the right arm of Daisuke Matsuzaka (2-1) in Tuesday's triumph, with the Japanese star yielding just one run and three hits while striking out nine batters over seven outstanding innings.

"I thought he was terrific," manager Terry Francona told Boston's official site about Matsuzaka, who had recorded a poor 9.90 ERA over his first two starts after spending the early portion of the season on the disabled list. "He was aggressive with the fastball, attacking the zone and held the fastball from the first inning through the seventh."

Jason Varitek paced the Boston offense with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate which included the longtime catcher's sixth home run of the season. J.D. Drew also finished with two hits and an RBI to help the Red Sox to a third straight win.

All six runs came against Toronto starter Dana Eveland (3-2), with the left- hander lasting only four innings and allowing six runs while issuing four walks.

Fred Lewis went 2-for-4 and knocked in the Blue Jays' lone run with a sixth- inning double. The outfielder is batting .421 (16-for-38) over the course of an eight-game hitting streak.

Teammate John Buck ended 2-for-3 with a run scored and has hit safely in six consecutive contests, batting .450 (9-for-20) with three homers, six RBI and seven runs scored during his tear.

Toronto has now lost three of four since stringing together a season-best six straight wins from May 2-7. The club wraps up a 10-game road trip with this afternoon's encounter with Wakefield, who takes the mound in the finale as part of a modified Boston rotation.

Wakefield began the season as a starter before being shifted to the bullpen once Matsuzaka was activated from the disabled list in late April. The veteran knuckleballer was 0-1 with a 5.40 earned run average in four starts prior to the switch, but has surrendered six runs over a 6 1/3-inning span in three relief appearances since moving into a relief role.

The 42-year-old gets another shot at starting due to Josh Beckett having been ailing and ineffective as of late. Francona had initially decided to push Beckett back two days and pitch Friday's game at Detroit, but the standout righty has been since scratched from that scheduled assignment because of back spasms.

Wakefield has faced Toronto 51 times with 41 starts over his long career and owns a 17-13 record with a 3.93 ERA lifetime against today's opponent. He was just 1-2 with a 6.89 in three starts versus the Blue Jays last year, however.

Toronto counters with Opening Day starter Shaun Marcum, who pitched extremely well in a no-decision against the Sox back on April 27. The right-hander held Boston to one run on four hits and struck out five over seven effective innings in that game, but left with the score tied at 1-1.

Marcum followed that outing by firing 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball to defeat Oakland on May 2 and worked a season-high 7 2/3 frames this past Friday in Chicago, although he did not factor in the decision of Toronto's 7-4 win.

The 28-year-old has made a successful comeback from Tommy John surgery which caused him to miss the entire 2009 campaign. Marcum has posted a solid 3.19 ERA and limited the opposition to a .219 average so far this season, while generating a quality start in six of his seven times out.

In 12 career appearances (7 starts) against Boston, Marcum is 4-2 with a 3.33 ERA and owns a 2-0 mark with a 2.84 ERA over five visits (3 starts) to Fenway Park.

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Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year

Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.

Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month.

With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.

Randy Foye of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be set to give Roy the best competition NBA Rookie of the Year betting lines. With the benching of Mike James, Foye looks like he could be the starter in the T-Wolves backcourt for the rest of the season. So far, Foye has averaged 9 PPG and 2.4 assists in just under 21 minutes per game. With his new role of starter, Foye’s numbers will definitely increase. In his first game as the new starting guard this past Sunday, Foye had 10 points; five rebounds and 8 assists. More importantly, he logged 34 minutes of playing time; his third highest run of the season.

Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.

Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

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Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

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