Old-timer's day: Moyer, Phillies top Maddux, Padres

Baseball Betting Lines

08/16/2008 - San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jamie Moyer was masterful through seven frames of shutout ball and Pat Burrell hit the game-winning home run, as Philadelphia edged San Diego 1-0 in the opener of a three-game set from PETCO Park.

Moyer (11-7) allowed just three hits and two walks with two strikeouts to earn a much-needed win for Philadelphia. The veteran lefty has surrendered three runs or less in each of his last 13 trips to the mound. He is the first Phillie to accomplish the feat since 1967, when Chris Short put together a streak of 23 consecutive quality starts.

"I felt like I had command of pretty much everything tonight," Moyer said. "I was able to get some quick outs and keep the pitch count down."

Greg Maddux (6-9) equaled Moyer's effort over seven innings, giving up just the Burrell homer -- one of five hits -- with no walks and four strikeouts. The crafty right-hander fell short of gaining his fourth straight victory following a career-high 14 starts without one.

Philadelphia began this seven-game swing with a two-game edge on rival New York for first place in the NL-East, but the club now finds itself one game back of the Mets on the heels of a four-game sweep by the Dodgers. The Mets, meanwhile, own a four-game winning streak.

San Diego continued its season-long struggle dropping three of the last four to settle at 47-75, good for the second-worst record in the NL.

Moyer and Maddux were dealing from the outset with six innings of shutout ball. The Phillies moved a runner to third with one away in the second while the Padres did the same with two away in the sixth, but both came up empty.

"That was a pitching clinic," Padres manager Bud Black said. "That's two guys who really know the game. Two tremendous students of the game."

Philadelphia scored the game's first and only run on a Burrell solo home run to left-center in the seventh.

Philadelphia threatened again in the eighth as San Diego trotted out three different pitchers in relief of Maddux to foil an inning that started with Jayson Werth reaching on an error and Jimmy Rollins following with a single. Wilfredo Ledezma was key in getting Chase Utley and Ryan Howard swinging to escape unscathed.

Ryan Madson entered in the eighth and recorded the first two outs before Scott Hairston laced a single to left. J.C. Romero took over and got Brian Giles to ground out, ending the inning.

Brad Lidge closed it out for his 29th save in as many opportunities this season by getting Kevin Kouzmanoff to line out to center and then retiring both Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Headley on strikes.

Game Notes

Philadelphia leads the season series 3-1 and took four of seven matchups from San Diego last season including three of four at PETCO. Overall, the Phillies are 12-3 in their last 15 trips to San Diego...Maddux remains one win shy of tying Roger Clemens for eighth on the all-time list with 354 wins while Moyer moved into a tie for 51st place on the all-time wins list with 241, matching Herb Pennock...Lidge has converted 32 consecutive save opportunities dating back to last season.

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Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

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

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.