Tigers vie to break even in matchup with Royals

Baseball Betting Lines

09/04/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers can pull back to .500 in the midst of a lengthy second-half slump tonight, when they visit Kauffman Stadium for the second of three weekend games with the host Kansas City Royals.

The Tigers won Friday's opener, 9-5, when Will Rhymes' two-run triple in the top of 11th highlighted the four-run inning.

Ryan Raburn added his ninth homer in 21 games and drove in two runs for the Tigers, who have recently won three of five. Raburn has been on a tear during the 21-game stretch, batting nearly .350 over his torrid streak.

Brandon Inge had two hits and two RBI, while Don Kelly had three hits in the win. Ryan Perry (3-5) earned the victory with two scoreless innings of relief after Jeremy Bonderman allowed four runs, seven hits and five walks in a 7 1/3-inning start.

The Tigers were in contention in the American League's Central Division at the All-Star break, but went on to lose 13 of 17 games over the remainder of July before going 13-16 in August.

They enter Saturday sitting third in the division, 11 games behind first-place Minnesota.

Alex Gordon homered, while Yuniesky Betancourt drove in two runs for the Royals, who have lost five of seven. Starting pitcher Zack Greinke had a no- hitter through 4 1/3 frames before faltering, giving up four runs, six hits and two walks while fanning only three in 6 1/3 frames.

On the mound for Detroit tonight will be young right-hander Rick Porcello, who tries to duplicate a gem against Kansas City two starts ago. In that Aug. 24 outing at Comerica Park, the 21-year-old allowed just two hits and struck out four in seven scoreless innings of the Tigers' 9-1 victory.

He allowed 10 hits and three runs in a previous 2010 start against the Royals, back on April 14, and picked up a no-decision in a 7-3 Detroit loss.

Porcello earned just his second road win of the season in his last outing, scattering three hits in seven innings while allowing one run and striking out four in a 10-4 triumph at Toronto on Sunday.

For Kansas City, journeyman southpaw Bruce Chen can reach double-digit wins for the second time in a career that's seen him pitch for 10 teams when he toes the rubber tonight.

The 33-year-old Panamanian debuted in the big leagues with the Atlanta Braves in 1998 and pitched for Philadelphia, the New York Mets, Montreal, Cincinnati, Boston and Houston before finally breaking through for 13 wins with the Baltimore Orioles in 2005.

He was winless in 40 appearances with Baltimore a year later, however, and has subsequently pitched for Texas and the Royals while going 10-13 with a save in 49 appearances.

Chen has made 17 starts in 27 outings with Kansas City in 2010 and picked up win No. 9 Sunday at Cleveland with six innings of six-hit, two-run ball in a 6-2 triumph.

He allowed five hits and five runs in 4 1/3 innings of a 12-3 loss to the Tigers in Detroit on Aug. 23 and is 1-3 in nine career appearances (seven starts) against the Tigers.

The Tigers have won seven of 13 meetings with the Royals so far this season.

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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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