Lincecum goes after third straight complete game against Astros
Baseball Betting Lines
07/04/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Lincecum hopes for the same type of run support San Francisco provided Ryan Sadowski in the opener of this set when the Giants play the middle test of their three-game series with the Houston Astros at AT&T Park.
Although, considering the way Lincecum has been pitching of late, he may not need it.
The NL's reigning Cy Young Award winner, who was just named the NL's Pitcher of the Month for June, won for the fourth time in his last five starts and for the eighth time in his last nine decisions on Monday in St. Louis, as he tossed a two-hit shutout to improve to 8-2, while lowering his earned run average to 2.37. He also struck out eight and has fanned at least that many in his last four starts, while leading the league in that category with 132.
"It was one of his best games. His fastball was moving, he had command of all his pitches. He was just locked in out there," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of his ace.
It was his second consecutive complete game and his third in four starts, two of which have been shutouts.
"He wants to be the guy to complete a game," Bochy added. "That's the mentality you want your starters to have."
Lincecum, who has allowed two runs or less in seven of his last eight outings, is 1-0 in four starts against the Astros with a 2.13 ERA.
San Francisco's offense exploded early on Friday, as it scored a season-high 13 runs over the first three innings in a 13-0 win.
Sadowski (2-0) followed up six shutout innings in his big league debut on Sunday with seven more scoreless innings and allowed just three hits and a walk while fanning four for San Francisco, which was coming off a 5-5 road trip.
Nate Schierholtz and Edgar Renteria each contributed three hits to the onslaught, Pablo Sandoval added two more, including a homer and three RBI, and Travis Ishikawa belted a three-run homer for the victors.
"We don't do that very often, but the offense was there," said Bochy. "(Sadowski) was good. He was outstanding. We had it all going tonight: offense, pitching. It was good to see the guys bounce back."
Houston starter Felipe Paulino (2-5) lasted just two innings, getting tattooed for nine runs -- eight earned -- on nine hits for the Astros, who lost the opener of this three-game set after taking three of four from San Diego.
"He just didn't have good location," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said of his starter. "[His] curveball wasn't as good as it was before. Probably got too many pitches in the zone. He didn't hit his spots very well and seemed like they knew what was coming the way they were swinging."
Houston will turn to veteran righty Russ Ortiz, who is 3-3 with a 3.36 ERA. Ortiz, who started his career with the Giants, did not get a decision on Sunday against Detroit, despite giving up just two runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings of a 4-3 loss.
Ortiz has faced his former team seven times and is 0-3 in those outings with a 7.46 ERA.
Drafted by San Francisco in 1995, Ortiz went 67-44 from 1998 through 2002 with the Giants before leaving via trade in 2002. After stops in Arizona and Baltimore, Ortiz returned to San Francisco in 2007 and appeared in 12 games before undergoing an operation on his throwing elbow that cost him the 2008 season.
Houston and San Francisco are meeting for the first time since the Astros took seven of the eight meetings a year ago. Houston went 3-1 at AT&T Park in 2008.
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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.
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