Cardinals in must win situation

Baseball Betting Lines

08/14/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals have done everything they can to stay within striking distance in the race for the National League Central. However, the Cardinals' poor start has made it difficult for the team to make any real headway. All that can change this week, as St. Louis embarks on a seven-game road trip that will take them to Milwaukee and Chicago. The Cardinals, who currently trail the Brewers by 5 1/2 games, must win both series in order to continue their fight for the NL Central crown. If St. Louis can win both series it has a great chance of winning the division. However, if the Cardinals were to lose either set, there may not be enough time for them to bounce back

ANKIEL RETURNS TO CARDS IN MUCH DIFFERENT ROLE

The last time Rick Ankiel put on a Cardinals' uniform, St. Louis was hoping the right-hander could keep his opponents from knocking the ball out of the park. However, after a three year absence, the Cardinals are now counting on Ankiel to step into a power-hitting role, as the team gears up for the final stretch of the regular season.

Ankiel's story is a remarkable one, as the former pitcher turned outfielder was an important piece of the Cardinals' success in the late 90's - early 2000's. Ankiel made his Cardinals debut in 1999, serving as a part-time starter for St. Louis. However, after a productive first season, he was moved into the starting rotation in 2000. Ankiel roared through the regular season that year, earning him the right to start the first game of the 2000 NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.

His performance that day would signify the beginning of the end for Ankiel as a pitcher. Ankiel walked six batters and threw five wild pitches, ultimately costing the Cardinals a win. He followed that performance with another wild-pitch filled start against the New York Mets in the NLCS. The Cardinals went onto to lose the NLCS and Ankiel's pitching career was just starting to go bad.

Ankiel made just six starts in 2001, before having his season cut short due to elbow problems. He was forced to undergo surgery, requiring him to miss all of the 2002 season. The elbow never fully recovered and limited Ankiel's playing time throughout the 03' and 04' seasons. Unable to compete as a starter, Ankiel contemplated retiring at the end of the 2004 season. However, Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty was not ready to give up on Ankiel and convinced the former pitcher to make a position change..

Now an outfielder, Ankiel has made a quite name for himself in minor league baseball. After missing the 2006 season with a knee injury, Ankiel burst on the scene in 07' hitting a minor-league best 32 homers through August 7th. Manager Tony La Russa, who has kept an eye on Ankiel's progress throughout the year, could no longer ignore the outfielder's progress.

"You get what you deserve and he deserves some Major League at-bats," La Russa said. "This is the Major Leagues, so the better he does, the more he plays. We're going to try to win games, but the reason he's here is we think he's going to improve our chance to win."

The Cardinals purchased Ankiel's contract from Triple-A Memphis last Thursday and have already begun to reap the benefits. The right fielder has gone 6- for-16 with three home runs and six RBI in just four starts. He has given the Cardinals a much-needed spark at the top of their order, while taking some of the pressure off of Albert Pujols. Ankiel is thrilled about his new opportunity and is now focused on doing whatever he can to stay in the lineup and help his team win.

"It's a weird feeling, it's been a long time and it's a goal that I set for myself and one that I've definitely reached," Ankiel said. "I'm looking forward to reaching my next goal, which is to stay here. It's new, I haven't been a hitter here before, so it's definitely like making a debut."

ENCARNACION UNHAPPY WITH MANAGER

The emergence of Ankiel has failed to make everyone in St. Louis happy. Juan Encarnacion happens to be that one, as Ankiel has taken his place in the lineup. Encarnacion voiced his displeasure recently, noting that he carries no hard feeling towards Ankiel, but is jaded by the La Russa's handling of the situation.

"You've got to play whoever is doing the job," Encarnacion said. "I'm not upset about that situation. I'm more mad about [the fact that] I didn't even know what was going on before that happened. Players should know a lot of things that happen before you [the media] know, everybody knows about it. I've been here long enough so that [La Russa] should come up to me and say something before the thing happens."

Encarnacion has not played since Ankiel's arrival, sitting out each of the last four games. While the first three games were in response to Ankiel's performance, Sunday's game was due to a sore injury. Encarnacion was penciled into the lineup, but was scratched at the last minute because of his knee. Although MRI's came back negative, there is still know word as to when Encarnacion will be back in the lineup.

With its team in a pennant race, the last thing St. Louis needs is a distraction in the locker room. However, it does not seem as though Encarnacion has any intention of standing by quietly, as the Cardinals move on without him.

"It hurts my feelings when your manager says you don't give the effort to play," Encarnacion said. "I was giving the best effort I can do. That's not making me feel good. He hurt my feelings about that situation.

INJURY NEWS

Second baseman Adam Kennedy was placed on the 15-day disabled list after it was decided that he will have to undergo knee surgery. Kennedy experienced soreness throughout the weekend, before Sunday's MRI revealed a torn ligament in his right knee. The second baseman is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

While the doctors believe Kennedy will return before the end of the season, La Russa seems less convinced about the timetable.

"I think we'll have to wait and see," La Russa said. "I think it depends on what they go in there and see. I just don't know. I'm guessing he'll be back in September, but I don't know

WHO'S HOT

Infielder Aaron Miles has come on strong, going 14-for-35 at the plate, over his last 10 games. Miles has been consistent all season, posting 85 hits to just 24 strikeouts in 92 games. On the season he is batting a respectable .295 with 22 RBI.

WHO'S NOT

Third baseman Scott Rolen is struggling at the plate, going just 5-for-38 over his last 10 games. He has gone hitless in five of those contest and has just three home runs in his last 34 games. The Cardinals need Rolen's bat down the stretch if they have any chance of making a run at the postseason.

On the year he is batting .261 with seven home runs and 50 RBI.

ON DECK

The Cardinals will travel to Miller Park for a three-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers. Tuesday night's contest will feature righthander Kip Wells (5-13, 5.27) and southpaw Chris Capuano (5-9, 4.96). Wednesday night's contest will match-up Joel Pineiro (2-2, 4.50) and Yovani Gallardo (4-2, 4.20), before Adam Wainwright (10-9, 4.21) and Dave Bush (9-8, 5.07) square off in Thursday's finale.

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Football Betting Lines

The 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have been released and Denver Broncos' running back Knowshon Moreno has been made the opening favorite.

Bet NFL Sports Lines

Moreno was selected in the first round of April's NFL draft and is expected to carry the rushing load for the Broncos this season. And with Jay Cutler now in Chicago, Moreno might be expected to be Denver's entire offense.

Betting Lines from sports betting lines have made Moreno a 5/2 favorite to win this year's Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Fellow running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (Arizona Cardinals) is right behind Moreno at 7/2, while Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) and receiver Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) are 5/1 to win. Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) and Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) are 7/1 and 8/1, respectively.

A couple of players who present some value are Josh Freeman, Shonn Green and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Freeman needs to beat out Byron Leftwich to become the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but if he does, he has a lot or raw talent and could use the weapons around him (i.e. Kellen Winslow Jr. and Antonio Bryant) to be very successful in his first season.

Green enters a crowded backfield in New York, but considering both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are unhappy about their contract situations and might holdout, the former Iowa product could become the Jets' primary back.

Everyone was shocked when Al Davis took Heyward-Bey with the eighth overall pick in April's draft, but the kid has a tremendous amount of talent and if quarterback JaMarcus Russell takes the next step this year, the former Maryland product could blossom. Plus, Heyward-Bey will be looking to prove the people wrong who said Oakland should have taken Michael Crabtree with the No. 8 pick.

And if you're looking for a deep sleeper, check out Pat White at 30/1. He enters the Miami Dolphins vaunted “Wild Cat” offense and could be a big time playmaker.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, see below.

2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds to Win

Ramses Barden (NYG) 40/1

Andre Brown (NYG) 20/1

Donald Brown (IND) 5/1

Kenny Britt (TEN) 20/1

Glenn Coffee (SFO) 30/1

Chase Coffman (CIN) 50/1

Michael Crabtree (SFO) 5/1

Josh Freeman (TB) 14/1

Shonn Green (NYJ) 14/1

Percy Harvin (MIN) 10/1

Darrius Heyward-Bay (OAK) 18/1

Juaquan Iglesias (CHI) 30/1

Cornelius Ingram (PHI) 50/1

Rashad Jennings (JAC) 30/1

Johnny Knox (CHI) 40/1

Jeremy Maclin (PHI) 18/1

Mohamed Massaquoi (CLE) 30/1

LeSean McCoy (PHI) 12/1

Knowshon Moreno (DEN) 5/2

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) 18/1

Brandon Pettigrew (DET) 30/1

Brian Robiskie (CLE) 20/1

Mark Sanchez (NYJ) 7/1

Matthew Stafford (DET) 8/1

Jason Smith (STL) 40/1

Mike Thomas (JAC) 25/1

Patrick Turner (MIA) 50/1

Mike Wallace (PIT) 50/1

Chris Wells (ARI) 7/2

Pat White (MIA) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 9/1

Betting Line

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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.