Astros getting left in the dust

Baseball Betting Lines

07/11/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - To say that things haven't exactly gone the Houston Astros' way this season would be quite an understatement.

When the general manager is getting choke-slammed by a player, and your league MVP candidate is sidelined because of pink eye, it's usually a pretty good bet the playoffs aren't at the forefront of everyone's mind. It's simply been one of those seasons for the Astros, and the light at the end of the tunnel is still months away.

Even with Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston is just 2-7 in the month of July. Houston kicked off the month with three straight losses at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers. They've followed that up by dropping two of three to both the Atlanta Braves and the Pirates, the latter of which occupied last place in the National League Central for much of the season -- until now. June wasn't much better, either. This time last month, the Astros were in the midst of a stretch in which they lost eight straight, and 12 of 14.

With the team in the nation's capital this weekend taking on the Washington Nationals, it will be a battle between last-place teams. Got your tickets? The real question facing this team is, where exactly are they headed? General manager Ed Wade has his work cut out for him to address that one. After all, the nucleus of the team, with guys like Berkman, Carlos Lee and Roy Oswalt, isn't exactly tomorrow's youth.

Granted, there are a few promising young players on the club, such as outfielder Hunter Pence and pitcher Wandy Rodriguez. But the list more or less stops there. The majority of the roster is filled with guys in their 30s. With the trade deadline nearing, the whispers have gotten louder about Roy Oswalt (7-8, 4.60) being shipped elsewhere. The team, and Oswalt, have downplayed such talks. The team's highest paid player, Miguel Tejada, who is raking in nearly $15 million this year, has been hitting around the Mendoza Line for the better part of the last two months. Not surprisingly, the team has spiraled downward ever since.

Houston has a combined salary of nearly $90 million this season, with Tejada, Oswalt, Berkman and Lee making up the lion's share of that figure. Indeed, Wade will have his hands full in order to get this team headed in the right direction. So far, his only move of significance was sending closer Brad Lidge to Philadelphia for Geoff Geary and some change. Lidge hasn't done much besides put together perhaps his best season as a pro and will be representing the National League at next week's All-Star game.

BACK TO ACTION

After getting through a bullpen session on Tuesday, Oswalt is in line to start tonight's game in Washington. The right-hander was given a numbing shot last Saturday in hopes of relieving the hip pain that has cost him two starts.

"I was a little worried at first," Oswalt said on the team's website. "I was probably throwing 70-80 percent when I first got out there. The last 20 pitches, I threw as hard as I could throw. I didn't feel anything. I wasn't as crisp as my last start, but hopefully it comes back Friday."

Miguel Tejada, who has played in nearly every game this season, was given the day off Wednesday, and with that off day, the hope is he will have his battery re-charged a bit. Second baseman Kaz Matsui came off the disabled list on Wednesday and recorded two hits.

WHO'S HOT

Ty Wigginton has picked it up with eight hits in his last five games.

WHO'S NOT

The aforementioned Tejada is in a 2-for-18 rut. Michael Bourn found himself benched for four straight games after an 0-for-19 slump, although he did respond with two hits on Wednesday.

The team last week designated reliever Oscar Villareal (1-3, 5.02 ERA, 35 appearances) for assignment. On Thursday, Villareal rejected his demotion to the minors and will become a free agent. Houston is on the hook for the remainder of his $2.85 million contract.

A LOOK AHEAD

As indicated, Oswalt will return to action tonight against Tim Redding (6-3, 4.06) and the Nationals. Rodriguez (3-3, 3.23) will take the hill Saturday opposite Collin Balester (1-1, 5.06). And on Sunday, it will be Brandon Backe (5-9, 5.07) against Odalis Perez (2-6, 3.66).

Wwwthriveonline Baseball Betting News

<< Tigers have crept back into picture in AL Central
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While much of the attention in the American League Central has been pointed in the direction of the surging Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins, the third-place team should definitely not be overlooked. Thanks in large p

<< Marlins try to reel in another win over Dodgers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Florida Marlins, despite being within striking distance of first place in the National League East, are hoping a shuffling of their rotation can help get them over the top. Chris Volstad makes his first major league

<< Mets try to keep momentum going against Rox
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets and Colorado Rockies have each had first halves that can be classified as disappointing. However, both teams have been playing like playoff contenders as of late. The Mets will attempt to extend their s

<< Gallagher to make A's debut in key series opener with Angels
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Athletics insisted they weren't giving up on this season when the team dealt Rich Harden to Chicago earlier this week. Sean Gallagher faces the tough task of replacing Harden in the rotation tonight in the At

<< Struggling D'Backs, Phils meet at Citizens Bank Park
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two teams struggling to maintain their division leads square off tonight when the Philadelphia Phillies welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to town for the first of three games at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelph

Astros make first trip to Nationals Park >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of last-place teams start up a three-game series tonight at Nationals Park, where the Houston Astros make their first appearance at the new venue to take on the struggling Washington Nationals. Houston

Giants add infielder Ochoa >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Francisco Giants have purchased the contract of infielder Ivan Ochoa from Triple-A Fresno. The 25-year-old Ochoa, a switch-hitting infielder, was batting .318 with six home runs, 32 runs batted

Wawrinka reaches semis; Youzhny exits Gstaad >>
Gstaad, Switzerland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top-seeded Swiss crowd favorite Stanislas Wawrinka secured a spot in the semifinals, while third-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny came up a quarterfinal loser Friday at the clay-court Swiss O

Rose expected to undergo MRI for ailing knee >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose has tendinitis in his right knee and the Chicago Tribune says the rookie will undergo an MRI exam. Rose, the first overall pick in last month's draft, missed the Bulls' fina

Crouch seals return to Portsmouth >>
Portsmouth, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - England international Peter Crouch has returned to Portsmouth for a second spell after completing his transfer from Liverpool to Fratton Park. The 27-year-old spent one season with Pompey six years

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.

Albert Pujols to be This Year's Home Run Champ Says Online Sportsbook

Barry Bonds is a 50-1 long shot to be this year's home run champ odds.  The favorite to be this year's home run champ is none other than Albert Pujols, however.

Now that Barry Bonds is signed and in Giants camp, it is on to his pursuit of all of sports most prestigious records: the all-time home run mark. Bonds sits just 21 homers shy of tying Hank Aaron for the career mark at 755. Word out of Giants’ camp is that Bonds is the healthiest he has been in a few years. Bonds is just two seasons removed from his injury riddled 2005 campaign where he played in only 14 games and hit only 5 home runs. He did come back last year and had a solid season hitting .270 with 26 bombs. All eyes will be on Bonds this spring and summer not only because of his home run chase but his highly publicized steroid abuse allegations. If and when Bonds breaks the record, he surely will not get the positive attention one should for breaking a record that was once thought of as “unbreakable”. Despite Bonds decent season last year, he is just 50-1 at MySportsbook.com to lead the MLB in long balls this season.

Not surprisingly, the favorites to go deep the most times this season are Albert Pujols 5-1, Ryan Howard 6-1, David Ortiz 8-1 and Alex Rodriguez 12-1. With 49 homers, Pujols finished second in the National League behind Howard (58). Pujols is considered the favorite due to the consistent power numbers that he has posted since breaking into the league in 2001. Also one must consider the fact that he played in 16 fewer games then Howard did due to an injury. Howard smashed 58 homers in his first complete season of big league play en route to the National League MVP odds award. He silenced his critics by successfully hitting left-handed pitching. Howard also displayed the ability to use his power to the opposite field. Two attributes which should keep Howard amongst the league leaders in long balls for years to come. From the American League representatives, David Ortiz leads the field. Ortiz was second in the majors last year with 54 home runs. Except for 1999 when he only played in 10 games, Ortiz has improved on his home run numbers each year he has been in the majors (1997).

Be sure to log onto online sports betting site MySportsbook.com to check out the odds for who will lead the MLB in home runs this season. Below is just a sample of the players listed. With the highest credit card rates in the industry, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on baseball this summer.

World Series odds

Adam Dunn 15-1

Albert Pujols 5-1

Alex Rodriguez 12-1

Alfonso Soriano 15-1

Andruw Jones 25-1

Barry Bonds 50-1

Carlos Delgado 40-1

David Ortiz 8-1

Jermaine Dye 40-1

Ken Griffey Jr. 100-1

Lance Berkman 40-1

Manny Ramirez 20-1

Richie Sexson 40-1

Ryan Howard 6-1

Travis Hafner 20-1

Vladimir Guerrero 40-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.