Nationals pound Pirates behind Rodriguez

Baseball Betting Lines

09/04/2010 - Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ivan Rodriguez hit a two-run homer and knocked in four as the Washington Nationals thumped Pittsburgh, 9-2, in the second of three games from PNC Park.

John Lannan (7-6) struck out seven in seven strong innings, walked one and allowed a run on five hits for the Nationals, who broke a three-game losing streak. Ian Desmond added three hits and an RBI to the win.

Paul Maholm's (7-14) troubles continued, as the southpaw slid to a fifth loss in six starts after surrendering eight hits and seven runs in 4 1/3 frames.

Andrew McCutchen's 13th home run of the season highlighted the Pirates' offense on the way to their sixth loss in the last eight games.

The game was scoreless until Washington broke out in the fourth for five runs. The bases were loaded right out of the shoot on a pair of singles and a walk and Rodriguez chased in two with a base hit to right-center.

An error left men at second and third for Danny Espinosa, who drove in another with a single and Justin Maxwell added a fourth run with a sacrifice fly. Nyjer Morgan later scored Espinosa with a single.

Mike Morse led off the fifth with a base hit and scored on Rodriguez's two-run shot to left two batters later that ended Maholm's time on the hill.

McCutchen belted out a solo home run for a 7-1 game after five innings.

It was all Washington the rest of the way as Desmond doubled in Lannan in the sixth, then Morse tagged Chan Ho Park with an RBI single to plate Desmond in the eighth.

The Nats' starter gave way to Doug Slaten in the home eighth and Ronny Cedeno managed a two-out run-scoring double. Joel Peralta finished out the win with a scoreless ninth.

Game Notes

Washington swept a three-game set from the Pirates back in June and had won five in a row in the series prior to Friday's setback...Maholm fell to 0-4 in seven all-time meetings with the Nationals...Lannan picked up his first career defeat of the Pirates in six attempts...Rodriguez had three hits and scored twice. It was his third home run of the season...Lastings Milledge had three hits for Pittsburgh.

Wwwslotszone Baseball Betting News

<< Ramsey, McCray among Saints' final cuts
Metairie, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Quarterback Patrick Ramsey and defensive end Bobby McCray were among the highest-profile players released by the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, as the defending Super Bowl champions reduced their roster to the N

<< Oklahoma holds on against Utah State
Norman, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Broyles posted 142 yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions as seventh-ranked Oklahoma nearly wasted a 21-point lead but topped Utah State, 31-24, in the season-opener for both schools at Oklahom

<< Jackson powers Tigers past Royals
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Austin Jackson went 3-for-4 and singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 6-4 win over the Kansas City Royals in the middle test of a three-game series. Jackson als

<< Engram, Jennings, McDonald among Browns' final cuts
Berea, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wide receiver Bobby Engram, running back Chris Jennings and cornerback Brandon McDonald were among the notables released by the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, as the team reduced its roster to 53 players. Engram,

<< Cornhuskers clobber WKU
Lincoln, NE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez ran for three touchdowns and accounted for 263 of Nebraska's 536 yards of offense, as the eighth-ranked Cornhuskers walloped Western Kentucky, 49-10, at Memorial Stadium

Colts Cut 22, including OT Terry; acquire CB Tryon >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Indianapolis Colts released 22 players including veteran tackle Adam Terry on Saturday, also acquiring cornerback Justin Tryon via a trade with the Washington Redskins amid their "cut-down-day" transactio

Patriots list LBs Alexander, Burgess, Woods among final cuts >>
Foxborough, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Linebackers Eric Alexander, Derrick Burgess and Pierre Woods, all of whom had a role with the Patriots in past years, were released as part of New England's "cut-down-day" roster maneuvers on Saturday. Alexa

Alabama starts BCS title defense with rout of San Jose State >>
Tuscaloosa, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Eddie Lacy and Trent Richardson each rushed for a pair of touchdowns, and top-ranked Alabama began defense of its BCS national title with a 48-3 win over San Jose State. Greg McElroy and A.J. McCarron

FCD extends unbeaten run to 13 with win over Toronto >>
Frisco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - FC Dallas earned a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC in Major League Soccer action at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night. Jeff Cunningham's eighth goal of the season and 129th of his MLS career were enough to propel

CB Vasher, WR Reed among Chargers' final cuts >>
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Chargers pared their roster to the 53-player maximum on Saturday, releasing 23 players as part of their "cut- down day" moves. Excised were wide receiver Seyi Ajirotutu, tackle Brady Bond, runni

American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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

American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.