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06/03/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Astros are finding out the hard way just how quickly fortunes can change.
A week ago, they sat at seven games above .500, and were just 1 1/2 games back of the National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs. Since then, however, those two have drifted in different directions.
The Cubs have ripped off eight straight wins and they now own the best record in the majors. Meanwhile, the Astros have gone on to lose five straight, and just like that, Houston has fallen seven games off the pace in the division standings.
Manager Cecil Cooper knows these sorts of stretches are bound to happen over a 162-game schedule. And though he said it's taking quite a bit of effort on his part, he is trying to keep an even keel.
"I can't just wallow in it," he said. "If I did, then they would start to do that, too. So I can't do that. I have to bite my lip, bite my tongue, do what I have to do and do it and not let it bother me, at least to a point where they know it's bothering me."
Offensively, things have gotten, well, downright offensive. During their five- game skid, the Houston lineup has produced a grand total of six runs. The Cubs, to put that in perspective, are averaging about six runs per game on the season.
The misery began on Wednesday in St. Louis, against the club that has since taken over second place in the division. After beating the Cardinals in Tuesday's series opener, St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright stymied the Astros bats to just one run on three hits in eight innings of work.
Home runs by Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman accounted for Houston's only two runs on Thursday, as St. Louis put the stamp on the series with a 3-2 win.
Things went from bad to worse this weekend in Milwaukee, where in the three games, the Astros were outscored, 19-3.
In Friday's opener, Houston starter Brandon Backe allowed five runs in five innings, while the Astros offense managed just one run on seven hits for the game. On Saturday it was Ben Sheets' turn to quiet the Astros' bats. Sheets pitched 8 2/3 innings of one-run ball, as the Brewers went on to notch a 4-1 victory. Sunday's 10-1 loss was just downright ugly. Starter Shawn Chacon was chased after just one inning of work, having allowed four runs to cross the plate. Meanwhile, Brewers starter Dave Bush scattered just four hits and one run over seven innings.
"Nothing worked (Sunday)," Cooper said. "Nope. It was a bad day at the office. We didn't hit, didn't pitch very well, for the most part, and even threw it around a little bit. Nothing worked."
With their nine-game road trip now making its stop in Pittsburgh, the best the Astros can hope for is a 4-5 ledger on the trip. But first, they might just want to start with a multi-run game.
BERKMAN REWARDED WITH NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Despite the team's recent struggles, the one constant has been Berkman. During the month of May, Berkman hit .471 with nine home runs. Not surprisingly, he was named the NL Player of the Month for May. During his tear, Berkman also racked up 11 doubles, 22 RBI and scored 31 runs. He had 16 multi-hit games, and hit safely in 17 straight games.
"I didn't know he was the greatest hitter in the history of baseball until this guy showed up for the last month or so," Astros general manager Ed Wade said on the team's Web site. "It's like watching a guy play big league baseball, only he's playing tee ball. That's how easy he's making it. You know how difficult this game is, and he's simplified it to the 'nth degree."
For the season, Berkman ranks second in the majors in batting average (.385), second in home runs (17), and fifth in RBI (47).
GEARY READY FOR ACTION
Reliever Geoff Geary was activated from the 15-day disabled list following Sunday's loss. He had spent the last two weeks on the DL with a strained groin.
Geary, acquired in the offseason from Philadelphia as part of the Brad Lidge trade, reported no pain while throwing a simulated game on Saturday. He has been one of the steadies arms out of the bullpen this season, posting a 1.47 ERA in 19 games.
To make room for Geary, the club optioned Jack Cassel to Triple-A Round Rock. Cassel surrendered six runs on Sunday, though he was likely headed back down to the minors regardless of that outing.
WHO'S HOT
Berkman. Is any elaboration really needed anymore when you're hitting .475 over the past month?
WHO'S NOT
Neither of the catchers, J.R. Towles and Brad Ausmus. Over the past month, Ausmus is hitting .150, while Towles is batting .096.
A LOOK AHEAD
Opening up the Pirates series will be left-hander Wandy Rodriguez (1-1, 2.89), who struggled in his first outing since coming off the DL. He will face Phil Dumatrait (2-2, 3.52). On Wednesday, Roy Oswalt (4-5, 5.45) will square off with Zach Duke (2-4, 4.41). And on Thursday, Backe (4-6, 4.54) looks to get back on track against Paul Maholm (3-5, 4.74).
<< Cards send Lohse to hill in DC
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Unlikely standout Kyle Lohse can get a second 2008 victory
over Washington tonight when the St. Louis Cardinals head to Nationals Park to
open a three-game series with the homestanding Nationals.
Lohse, a three-game winne
<< Papi-less Red Sox welcome first-place Rays to Fenway
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The unlikeliest of first-place battles commences tonight
at Fenway Park when the Tampa Bay Rays head to Boston for the first of three-
games with the defending World Series champion Red Sox.
Long the doormat of the Americ
<< Big Brown has final Belmont Stakes workout
Elmont, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big
Brown had his only official workout Tuesday morning for Saturday's Belmont
Stakes. The leading three-year-old worked five furlongs on the Belmont Park
track i
<< NHL's Longest Stanley Cup Finals
Longest Stanley Cup finals that have gone past two overtimes, with date, score, round, time of overtime and game-winning goal:May 15, 1990 - Edmonton 3, Boston 2, final, 55:13, Petr Klima.June 19, 1999 - Dallas 2, Buffalo 1, Stanley Cup winner, 54:5
Diamondbacks send Big Unit to hill to battle Brewers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last time Randy Johnson took the mound the bullpen blew
his solid performance. Tonight, the Big Unit will try again to lead the
Arizona Diamondbacks to victory in the second test of a three-game series
against the Milwauk
Willis returns to starting role, as Tigers tangle with A's >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dontrelle Willis makes his first start in nearly two months
this evening when the Detroit Tigers play the middle tilt of their three-game
series with the Oakland Athletics at McAfee Coliseum.
Willis, who is 0-1 with a 7.50
Indians send Mastny to hill at Texas >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tom Mastny makes his first major league start this evening
when the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers play the second of four games at
Rangers Ballpark.
Mastny gets the call tonight in place of Jake Westbrook, who
Manager Guillen, White Sox open series vs. Royals >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After getting a day to rest and cool off, Ozzie Guillen and
the Chicago White Sox go back to work tonight with the first of three
consecutive meetings with the Kansas City Royals from U.S. Cellular Field.
The Whit
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.
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
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.
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