Baker's Wrigley return highlights Cubs-Reds opener

Baseball Betting Lines

04/15/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dusty Baker makes his first return trip to Wrigley Field since his four-year stint as manager of the Chicago Cubs tonight, when the new Cincinnati skipper leads the Reds in a three-game series between the National League Central rivals.

Baker led the Cubs to the 2003 NL Central title and within five outs of an appearance in that year's World Series before the club fell to the eventual champion Florida Marlins.

The Cubs posted another winning season in 2004, but stumbled to just 66 wins by his final season in 2006.

Lou Piniella, who managed the Reds to a World Series title in 1990, took over in 2007 and guided the Cubs to another division championship last year.

Ace Aaron Harang starts on the mound for the Reds and looks for his ninth win in his 16th career start against Chicago. He is 8-3 with a 4.44 earned run average in 95 1.3 innings over 15 previous starts versus the Cubs.

In three starts so far in 2008, Harang has allowed 14 hits and five earned runs in 21 innings, picking up a win, a loss and a no decision.

Ex-Red Ryan Dempster starts for Chicago tonight. The 30-year-old native of British Columbia spent part of 2002 and all of 2003 with Cincinnati, going 8-12 in 37 appearances, including 35 starts.

He went to Chicago in 2004 but was limited by injury to just 23 appearances. He returned as the team's closer from 2005-07, posting 85 saves before moving to the starting rotation to begin 2008.

In two starts this season, he's allowed four hits and one earned run in 13 innings, striking out 10 and walking four.

The Reds enter this season after being swept in three games by the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend. In Sunday's finale, Jason Bay hit a three-run homer and Ryan Doumit and Xavier Nady added two-run shots as the Pirates routed Cincinnati, 9-1.

Johnny Cueto (1-1) struggled through six innings of work for Cincinnati, giving up five runs on five hits while striking out six and walking a batter.

Ryan Freel went 2-for-5 with an RBI for Cincinnati, which has dropped five of its last seven overall.

The Cubs salvaged the finale of a three-game series in Philadelphia on Sunday. Ronny Cedeno scored the go-ahead run on Chase Utley's throwing error in the top of the 10th inning as the Cubs squeezed past Philadelphia, 6-5. Bank Park.

Cedeno drew a leadoff walk against Rudy Seanez (0-1), then moved to second on Ryan Theriot's sacrifice bunt. Geovany Soto also drew a free pass, and pinch- hitter Carlos Zambrano grounded to short with what looked like a dead double- play ball. But Utley's relay to first hit the dirt and skipped past Ryan Howard, allowing Cedeno to cross the plate.

Utley doubled off the wall in right in Philadelphia's final at-bat, but So Taguchi grounded out to end the game as Bob Howry picked up his first save.

Kerry Wood (1-0) earned the win for the Cubs with two scoreless frames. It backed a mediocre effort by starter Jason Marquis, who lasted through five innings but gave up two runs on four hits while walking five.

Derrek Lee went 3-for-5 and knocked in a pair of runs for Chicago, while Mark DeRosa added a disputed solo homer. The Cubs have won six of their last eight games overall.

These teams split 18 meetings in 2007, with Cincinnati winning five of the nine matchups held at Wrigley Field.

Wwwlakings Baseball Betting News

<< Yankees to face red-hot Jackson in finale with Rays
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Edwin Jackson tries to continue his sizzling start to the season this evening, when the Tampa Bay Rays wrap up their brief two-game series with the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. Jackson, who lost 15 games a

<< Sharks hope to rebound in Game 4 at Calgary
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The second-seeded San Jose Sharks will try to bounce back from a rough loss, as they visit the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome tonight for Game 4 of the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals. The Sharks scored th

<< Report: Former Sonics owner to sue to get team back
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Seattle SuperSonics owner Howard Schultz is reportedly planning to sue the current ownership to get the team back, on the basis that the new owners violated the sale contract by not making

<< Wild, Avs meet for Game 4 in Denver
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The third-seeded Minnesota Wild will try to grab a three games to one lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals tonight, when they visit the Colorado Avalanche for Game 4 at the Pepsi Center. Every game i

<< Streaking A's shoot for another Windy City win
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dana Eveland tries for his third impressive outing to start the season this afternoon, when the Oakland Athletics try to complete a two- game sweep in their brief series with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

Royals hope to keep up pitching prowess in Seattle >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - John Bale hopes to continue Kansas City's brilliant starting pitching run of late, and the Royals attempt to complete a sweep of their brief two-game series with the Seattle Mariners this afternoon at Safeco Field.

Providence set to hire Drake coach Davis >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Keno Davis has reached a deal to become the next head coach at Providence, according to FoxSports.com. An official announcement is expected Tuesday afternoon. Davis arrives in Providence after just o

Kentucky Derby preps provide few clues >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The favorite in the Santa Anita Derby finished fifth. The favorite in the Wood Memorial got edged at the wire. The favorite in the Illinois Derby finished fifth. The favorite in the Blue Grass Stakes finished

Canadian Football League (CFL) >>
Named Tom Higgins director of officiating.

Memphis' Rose plans on heading to NBA >>
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Memphis star Derrick Rose is expected to enter the NBA draft after playing just one season for the Tigers, according to The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Rose averaged 14.9 points and 4.7 assists per game

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BETTING

NCAA Football Betting

Many fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.)

"To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good."

Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins

There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida.

Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins

Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October.

USC Trojans - 10.5 wins

A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention.

Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy

Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2
He won it last year, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to do it again, making him just the second player to go back-to-back. Ohio State's Archie Griffin turned the trick in 1974 and 1975, and Tebow's coach, Urban Meyer, is pretty sure his star quarterback can match the Buckeyes legend.

"There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach."

Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1

The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines.

Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1

If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J.

Stay with us here as we take you through the best in NFL action on a consistent basis, with advice columns as well as handicapping selections. If you're looking for college football betting, that's in our NCAA section, which you can reach by clicking here. And if you're looking for a different kind of football, such as the Canadian Football League, which we'll deal with occasionally, or the Arena Football League, which we really like, you can find it in our Miscellaneous section by clicking

Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting lines .
To visit this sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sports betting

MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.

Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.

According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).

Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
    
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.

Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.

''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''

Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
   
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.

”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
   
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.

For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.