Reeling Twins continue series against White Sox

Baseball Betting Lines

09/08/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Twins try to avoid their sixth straight loss this afternoon when they play the middle contest of a three-game set against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Twins lost for the ninth time in their last 11 games on Friday, as A.J. Pierzynski's RBI single in the 13th inning lifted Chicago to an 11-10 win in a contest that saw both teams score six runs in the ninth inning to send it to extra frames.

Jim Thome hit home run number 496 of his career, a three-run shot in the ninth, and drove in four, while Josh Fields and Juan Uribe each drove in a pair of runs for the White Sox, who snapped a small two-game slide.

Heath Phillips (1-1) got his first career major-league win for pitching a scoreless 13th inning. Javier Vazquez started on the mound and gave up four runs on 11 hits in six innings of work.

Rondell White hit a three-run homer and Justin Morneau went 3-for-7 with two RBI and two runs scored for the Twins, who haven't lost six straight since doing so from July 28-August 2, 2005.

Juan Rincon (3-3) got the loss while starter Carlos Silva gave up three runs on eight hits in six innings of work.

Getting the call for the White Sox tonight will be Cuban righty Jose Contreras, who is just 8-16, but has won his last two starts. Contreras was brilliant on Sunday against the Cleveland Indians, as he held them to four hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings to lower his earned run average to 5.86.

Contreras lost to the Twins the last time he faced them and is 4-3 lifetime against them with a 3.88 ERA in 10 games, nine of which have been starts.

Minnesota hopes young Matt Garza can get them off the schneid, as he tries to improve upon his 3-5 record. Garza was dealt the loss in his last start on August 31 against Kansas City, as he surrendered eight runs (four earned) and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Garza, who is pitching to a 3.49 ERA this season, has faced the White Sox just twice in his career and is 1-1 against them with a 4.15 ERA.

Minnesota has won seven of its 13 matchups with the White Sox this season and is 17-15 in the series since the start of last season.

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MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.

Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.

According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).

Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
    
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.

Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.

''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''

Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
   
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.

”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
   
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.

For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.


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.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.