Blue Jays hope to stay hot versus Indians

Baseball Betting Lines

07/31/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Blue Jays are riding a four-game winning streak and will attempt to continue the string of strong play against the Cleveland Indians in the second of three weekend games at Rogers Centre.

Righty Jake Westbrook will get the ball for Cleveland this afternoon, and he will attempt to improve a 6-7 record and 4.65 ERA. He allowed three runs over eight innings on Monday, but a lack of run support led to defeat. In 127 2/3 innings of work this season, Westbrook has permitted 133 hits and 44 walks while striking out 73 batters.

Westbrook is 2-1 with a 4.57 ERA in five career games at Rogers Centre.

As for Brett Cecil, who is the scheduled starter for the Blue Jays today, he has quietly put together a solid season, posting an 8-5 mark and a 3.89 ERA to date. Cecil did not figure in the decision of Sunday's game against Detroit despite seven solid innings, and he is 1-0 in July with a 2.39 ERA.

Cecil beat Cleveland in his only start against the team this season, pitching eight innings of one-hit ball with 10 strikeouts.

Yesterday, Jose Bautista's grand slam and league-leading 31st home run highlighted a six-run fourth, as the Blue Jays cruised to an 8-1 rout of the struggling Cleveland Indians at Rogers Centre.

Bautista tied the club record with his 11th home run of July and finished with three hits, as the Blue Jays snapped a four-game losing streak to Cleveland. Fred Lewis also homered as part of the 14-hit attack, while Yunel Escobar and Lyle Overbay both had multi-hit efforts.

"I feel really good. I'm getting ready on time," Bautista said. "I'm seeing a lot of pitches over the plate, and I'm taking advantage of it. Hopefully, I can ride this wave as long as I can."

Shaun Marcum (10-4) was dominant in the start, allowing just one run and three hits while fanning a season-high 10 over seven frames.

Matt LaPorta's sacrifice fly was the only offense for the Indians, who have lost three straight and six of seven. Justin Masterson (3-10) was pounded for eight runs on a career-high 13 hits and two walks over only 5 1/3 innings to take the loss.

"It seemed like you kind of need something to keep them on edge," Masterson said. "They're free-swinging -- that's what they did. They beat us at what they're good at -- hit a few home runs."

Cleveland and Toronto have split their eight meetings so far this season.

Blackjack-online-blackjack Baseball Betting News

<< Wick's two home runs power Canada over Italy
Thunder Bay, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With upsets aplenty and coming off a scare of their own, Team Canada wasn't taking any chances against an overmatched Italian squad in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Baseball Championships. A day aft

<< Cuba edges U.S. in thrilling quarterfinal
Thunder Bay, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After a dramatic quarterfinal matchup, one can only imagine what else is in store for the final weekend of the World Junior Baseball Championship. Omar Luis threw nine solid innings in a gutsy 144-pitch eff

<< Stosur, Sharapova reach semis in Stanford
Stanford, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top-seeded Australian Samantha Stosur and fifth-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova won their respective quarterfinal matches Friday at the $700,000 Bank of the West Classic tennis event. Stosur outlasted se

<< Rain-soaked Cardinals sneak past Pirates in 10
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brendan Ryan's infield single scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning, as the St. Louis Cardinals snuck past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1-0, in the opener of a three-game series at Busch S

<< Giants hold on in ninth to edge Dodgers
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aubrey Huff went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI, and Tim Lincecum lasted seven innings after a slow start to pace San Francisco to a tight 6-5 triumph over the Dodgers in the opener

Tigers continue road series with Red Sox >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers finally halted a nine-game road losing streak last night and will aim for a second straight win over the Boston Red Sox today at Fenway Park. In Friday's opener, Jhonny Peralta hit a pair of homers and d

Reds hope to reclaim first place in test with Braves >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Reds try to once again reverse their standing in the National League's Central Division today when they host the Atlanta Braves in game two of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park. The Reds entere

Dodgers send out Billingsley on short rest to face Giants >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In danger of losing a fourth straight game, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in need of a spark. That could come from work-horse Chad Billingsley, who will pitch on three days' rest for the first time in his career this afternoon

Nats try to extend win streak against Phillies >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Usually sellers around the non-waiver trade deadline, the Nationals didn't seem to impressed on Friday with the Phillies' big midseason pickup. One day after spoiling the Philadelphia debut of Roy Oswalt, Washington will

Winds of change surround Brewers-Astros clash >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Things sure are changing in the Astros' clubhouse in a hurry, but that hasn't stopped the club from putting together a little win streak. Having already traded one face of the franchise, Houston appears on the verge of sh

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.

NFL Betting
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."

NFL Betting Lines

To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.