Dodgers hope to reverse fortunes against NL East

Baseball Betting Lines

07/06/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Dodgers haven't enjoyed much success against NL East foes this season and will try again tonight in the continuation of a three-game home series versus the Florida Marlins.

The Dodgers lost, 6-5, in last night's series opener to fall to 4-10 against teams from the National League East Division this season. Rafael Furcal hit a two-run homer and both James Loney and Russell Martin drove in a run for Los Angeles, which had a modest two-game winning streak stopped and fell four games behind NL West-leading San Diego in the division standings.

Los Angeles, which entered the game with five wins in six tries, received another rough outing by rookie starter John Ely. Ely's ledger dipped to 4-6 this season after he surrendered six runs -- five earned -- and nine hits over 2 2/3 innings of work.

"John didn't locate his curveball. It was only going about 55 feet. He wasn't able to attack the strike zone," said Dodgers manager Joe Torre.

Torre will have veteran hurler Vicente Padilla on the mound Tuesday and he's 2-2 with a 5.05 earned run average in seven starts this season. Padilla won his last outing on Wednesday in an 8-2 victory at San Francisco, as he tossed seven innings of one-run ball and struck out five batters.

Padilla squared off with Florida in a 7-6 road loss on April 10 this season and did not record a decision. He was reached for four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings with six K's, and is 4-5 in 18 career meetings (12 starts) with the Marlins.

Florida has won back-to-back games since losing three straight and seven of nine, and recorded all of its runs last night by the third inning. All-Star snub Dan Uggla registered three hits and Wes Helms knocked in a pair of runs for the Marlins, who pulled within 8 1/2 games of first-place Atlanta in the division standings. Uggla owns two homers and eight RBI in his last six games.

Nate Robertson was able to even his 2010 mark to 6-6 despite giving up four runs -- three earned -- and seven hits in six innings. Jose Veras pitched a perfect seventh inning, Clay Hensley allowed a run in the eighth and Leo Nunez notched his 18th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

"It was a good win. I work quick and I had good defense behind me. I used everything because those guys can hit. When you win it is a good night," said Robertson.

The Marlins, who are 2-2 on a 10-game road trip and will also visit Arizona for four games, will send Chris Volstad to the mound Tuesday for his 17th start of the season. Volstad has struggled in his last 10 appearances, going 1-5 with a 4.69 ERA. Florida is 1-9 over that stretch.

Volstad last pitched in Wednesday's 6-5 loss versus the New York Mets, but did not figure into the decision despite giving up four runs -- three earned -- and six hits in five innings. He lost to the Dodgers back on April 9 this season, as he permitted three runs (2 earned) in 6 1/3 innings of a 7-3 setback at Sun Life Stadium.

The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.76 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers.

Florida won two of three meetings with Los Angeles the last time these two teams got together from April 9-11 this season.

Wwwwin365casino Baseball Betting News

<< Burke busy trying to retool Leafs' fate
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After coming off one of their more distressing seasons in recent memory, the Toronto Maple Leafs headed into the summer with more holes to patch than a gulf oil pipeline. But it didn't take long for Leafs

<< In the FCS Huddle: Transfers to watch
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It is ironic how a student-athlete will transfer to a new school to try to get a fresh start, only to find himself faced with the added burden of expectations. Many fans and media put a transfer under a mi

<< Niemi among 31 players to file for arbitration
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Antti Niemi was among the 31 players to file for salary arbitration. Niemi helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup title for the first time since 1961. The Washington Capi

<< Wade still doesn't have an answer for Miami
MIAMI (AP) -Dwyane Wade is calling off a morning news conference in South Florida.Wade was scheduled to take questions on Tuesday alongside Alonzo Mourning for a charity weekend they headline together later this month. But with free agency still the

<< Yanks' Pettitte replaces Buchholz in All-Star Game
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte earned his third career All-Star Game selection when he was announced as the injury replacement for Boston's Clay Buchholz on Monday. Pettitte will head to the Mids

San Diego pays a visit to nation's capital >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres enter the season's post-holiday second half in possession of the National League's best record when they visit the Washington Nationals to begin a three-game series at Nationals Park. The Padres, who

Duhon headed to Orlando >>
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Orlando Magic have reportedly agreed to terms with point guard Chris Duhon. According to the Sporting News, Duhon will sign a four-year deal worth $15 million to back up Jameer Nelson. Duhon pla

Greinke tries to pitch Royals to another series win in Seattle >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Royals can win their fourth straight series tonight with a victory over the Seattle Mariners in the second portion of a three-game series from Safeco Field. The Royals have been on a roll as of late, winnin

Sabathia shoots for seventh straight win in Oakland >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two pitchers riding extensive unbeaten streaks get together tonight by the Bay, where CC Sabathia and the AL East-leading New York Yankees take on Trevor Cahill of the Oakland Athletics in the continuation of a three- game se

Snubbed Weaver takes the hill for Angels against White Sox >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jered Weaver will likely be pitching with a chip on his shoulder this evening when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continue their four-game series with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Despite terrific crede

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.