Division leaders collide as Rangers host Twins

Baseball Betting Lines

08/23/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers return home to face the Minnesota Twins in a potential playoff preview when the division leaders square off tonight in the first of four straight games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Texas, vying for its first postseason appearance since 1999, comes into tonight's matchup holding an eight-game lead on both the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Oakland Athletics in the American League West, while the Twins sit five games in front of the Chicago White Sox in the Central.

After getting swept in a three-game series by the Tampa Bay Rays to start their seven-game road trip, the Rangers managed a split in their four-game affair with the lowly Baltimore Orioles after capturing Sunday's finale at Camden Yards.

Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero hit three-run home runs in support of Tommy Hunter's eight effective innings as Texas topped Baltimore, 6-4, on Sunday. Hamilton finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored while Guerrero, Julio Borbon and Elvis Andrus each added a pair of hits for the Rangers, who despite the poor trip, lost just a half-game to their competitors in the standings.

"We could have come off the road trip a lot worse than we did -- what did we lose, one game [in the standings]?" Hamilton pointed out. "But it could have been a lot worse. It was good we hung in there."

Hunter (10-2) permitted three runs on five hits without a strikeout or a walk and was followed by Neftali Feliz, who allowed a ninth-inning home run but managed to earn his 31st save for Texas, which improved to 8-11 in August.

"He was hitting his spots," said Rangers manager Ron Washington in grading Hunter's outing. "He had his cutter working, he had his changeup working, everything was down in the zone. He was spotting his fastball and getting quick outs. When he does that, you'll get the performance you got out there [Sunday]."

Heading to the hill for the Rangers tonight will be right-hander Rich Harden, who hasn't pitched since August 7 because of tendinitis in his right shoulder. Harden had lost three of his last four starts before being put on the disabled list and is just 4-4 with a 5.45 ERA on the year.

Harden is 1-1 with a 2.30 ERA in five starts against the Twins.

Minnesota, meanwhile, continues to be one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning eight of its last 10 games after taking two of three from the Angels over the weekend.

On Sunday, Michael Cuddyer hit a three-run double to back Scott Baker's solid performance on the mound as the Twins rolled to a 4-0 victory in the rubber match of that set at Target Field. Danny Valencia hit a solo homer for the Twins, who ended a nine-game homestand with a 7-2 record.

"They're all big games right now," Cuddyer said. "You've got to win each and every game. It was a good homestand for us. Hopefully we can go play well on the road."

Baker (11-9) pitched seven scoreless innings to win his fourth straight decision. The right-hander struck out four and walked two to beat Los Angeles for the first time in his career. He came into the game with an 0-5 mark in eight career starts against the Angels.

The Twins have gone 17-6 against the AL West this season.

Hoping to keep the Twins in the win column this evening will be right-hander Nick Blackburn, who hasn't pitched in the majors since July 25 but was recalled in place of the injured Kevin Slowey. Francisco Liriano was actually supposed to start tonight's tilt, but has been pushed back a day to give him extra rest.

Blackburn, who is 7-7 with a 6.66 ERA on the year, is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts versus the Rangers.

Minnesota swept the Rangers in a three-game set at Target Field earlier in the year and has won seven of the last nine matchups in the series.

Wwwbetinf Baseball Betting News

<< Red Sox continue homestand with clash against Mariners
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox shoot for a third straight win this evening, when they open a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park. After dropping the opener of their set with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday,

<< Rookie Nova gets call for Yankees' opener in Toronto
Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ivan Nova makes his first major league start this evening, when the New York Yankees open a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Nova, who pitched three scoreless innings of relief for the Yankees

<< Tigers hope to keep winning as Royals visit Motor City
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers shoot for a fourth straight win when they open a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals this evening at Comerica Park. Although the team's poor play since the All-Star break has taken it out of p

<< Wright named UC Davis' starting QB
Davis, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - UC Davis football coach Bob Biggs named redshirt freshman Randy Wright as the team's starting quarterback for its opener against Cal on Sept. 4 in Berkeley. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Wright was selected over sophom

<< FCS Season Preview: MEAC
Norfolk, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - To gain favor with the coaching staff, some South Carolina State football players stage a little competition. They talk the talk, pointing out what they do well and what the others at their position don't. I

Raptors' Calderon to miss worlds with leg injury >>
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon will miss the 2010 FIBA World Championship after injuring his leg in Spain's exhibition game against the United States. Tests Monday revealed Calderon tore a mu

Rays' West Coast tour resumes with trip to Anaheim >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays face a familiar face this evening as they continue their seven-game road trip on the West Coast with a matchup against Scott Kazmir and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium. Kazmir pitched

Thrashers re-sign Little >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed forward Bryan Little to a multiyear contract, the team announced Monday. The 22-year-old Little, a restricted free agent, dropped from 31 goals and 51 points in 2008-09

NL playoff hopefuls square off in San Francisco >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Francisco Giants return home seeking to bounce back from a tough road trip, while the Cincinnati Reds aim to continue their success on a West Coast swing when the two playoff hopefuls open up a key three-game series t

Braves turn to Hudson in opener with Rox >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After two of the Atlanta Braves' young guns led the way in a one-sided victory on Sunday, the team will turn to one of its established stars in hopes of getting a three-game road series with the Colorado Rockies off to a good

MySportsbook.com is one of the most efficient and professional online sportsbook today. While some sportsbooks only excel during the busiest seasons, MySportsbook is an excellent choice for the player who wants year-round quality. From their baseball true dime line to their interactive wagering, MySportsbook makes sure their clients would miss them if they went elsewhere.

Players won’t find any novelties at this sportsbook. The site is clean and simple and most importantly, fast. Customer Service handles matters in an expedient manner and accounting does everything possible to assure players that they have full control of their funds. The online banking center is open 24/7 in which time Neteller payouts are processed.

Management’s background and understanding of sports gambling has helped make them pioneers in the online betting market. MySportsbook was the first betting site to offer sports wagering in the best form. Interactive wagering was first offered in 1997. Players who don’t stop wagering when the game begins consider this sportsbook a true asset.

Players who are looking for outstanding value, extensive wagering options and inexpensive payouts will appreciate what MySportsbook.com offers. Those who are looking for perks and high bonuses would be best suited in a sportsbook geared towards the regular player.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your sports betting needs.

MySportsbook.com - The World's Leading Online Sportsbook

For more than 11 years now, MySportsbook.com has been the World’s BEST online sports book website, providing a safe and secure place for sports wagering. Our world-class level of experience and industry sportsbook expertise is unmatched.

Offering a wide array of sports to wager on, MySportsbook.com leaves no stone unturned in our search to provide you with great football betting lines and online blackjack options. From teasers to parlays, from futures to wacky propositions, we add more game excitement than any other sportsbook. Fully licensed in two gaming jurisdictions, MySportsbook.com is open and eager to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Whatever the sporting event, this online sportsbook has you covered. Enjoy some of sport’s most memorable moments that much more with MySportsbook.com. With increased interest, follow the game-winning field goal, the walk-off homerun, the buzzer-beater or the hole-in-one shot. Bank on that clutch glove save, the upset TKO or an incredible Hail Mary pass. MySportsbook.com quenches your thirst for action.

To visit this online blackjack got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts credit cards needs.