A's try to get on track in finale with Angels

Baseball Betting Lines

05/16/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Suffering with the longest losing streak in the American League at the moment, the Oakland Athletics try to close out their three-game set in southern California on a positive note as they take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this afternoon.

On Saturday Oakland fell a game under .500 on the season and to a dismal 5-12 on the road as a result of its 12-3 setback to the Angels. Consequently, LA is now just 1 1/2 games behind the A's for second place in the AL West, with both teams chasing the Texas Rangers at the moment.

Kendry Morales blasted a pair of home runs for the hosts, leading to his five RBI, while Bobby Abreu logged yet another double as he posted three hits and a pair of runs scored. Torii Hunter scored twice and also knocked in one, marking the 900th RBI of his career.

On the mound it was Ervin Santana who handled the action for the Angels, giving up just two earned runs on seven hits and three walks, striking out six over six innings as he picked up his second win of the campaign.

"I was more confident and comfortable when you have a lot of run support. Everything was good when you put everything together," Santana said.

Justin Duchscherer, who had just come off the 15-day disabled list prior to the contest, had been scheduled to make the start for the visiting A's, but he was a late scratch due to left hip inflammation.

"In my warm-up run I felt a little something in my hip. When I was in the bullpen I couldn't land properly," Duchscherer said. "I will see the doctor again to see if I need surgery."

Getting the emergency start instead was Tyson Ross, who lasted just 3 2/3 innings, permitting three earned runs on three hits in his first-ever start. Later in the contest reliever Chad Gaudin was assaulted for five earned runs on eight hits in a mere 2 2/3 innings for the struggling visitors.

Catcher Landon Powell posted three hits in four at-bats for the A's as he and Eric Patterson each tallied an RBI in the contest.

Having been called up from Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League the first of the month, Trevor Cahill is set to make his fourth appearance on the mound for the A's this afternoon. The right-hander, with a career record of 11-14 at the tender age of 22, last threw on Tuesday when he faced off against Texas for the second time in a week. Against the Rangers the second time around Cahill made it through 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a pair of walks in a 7-6 victory, although he failed to factor into the decision.

In 2009 Cahill made three appearances against the Angels, and while he was able to keep his ERA down to 2.70 over 16 2/3 innings, his control was another story as he issued 11 bases-on-balls.

As for the Angels, they have Joel Pineiro penciled in for his next trip to the mound today. Pineiro, currently 1-2 with a 3.16 ERA at home this season, last pitched on Monday when he led the squad to a 5-4 win over Tampa Bay but failed to factor into the decision.

The 31-year old threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings versus the Rays, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out seven to match a season high. Nevertheless, Pineiro is still trying to snap a personal three-game slide and has not notched a win since April 19 against Detroit.

Of all the opponents in the majors, Pineiro has more wins against the A's (eight) than any other foe in his career, but he also has more setbacks against Oakland as well (eight).

The Angels are now a game up on Oakland at 3-2 on the season, this after posting a 12-7 advantage last year when they won eight of nine on the road versus the A's.

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Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS

NFL Sports Betting

NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.

Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

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