Dodgers welcome Pirates to Chavez Ravine

Baseball Betting Lines

09/15/2011 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Dodgers will continue their final homestand of the season when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight in the opener of a four-game series at Chavez Ravine.

The Dodgers ended a three-game losing streak with Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of a three-game set, as staff ace Clayton Kershaw threw five shutout innings and struck out five before being ejected in the sixth inning by home plate umpire Bill Welke for hitting Gerardo Parra with a pitch.

Kershaw's beaning of Parra could have been pre-meditated since tension had been building between these clubs the last two nights. It was during the seventh inning of Tuesday's game when LA reliever Hong-Chih Kuo threw a pitch that sailed over the head of Parra, who then homered to right field and stood at the plate for a moment to admire the shot. After crossing the plate, Parra and Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis exchanged words, and Kershaw could be seen yelling from the dugout.

"It's just unfortunate in my opinion," Kershaw said. "It's just too strict. Bill was back there just trying to make sure everything was okay. I understand he has a job to do, but at the same time pay attention to the game and understand what's going on a little bit better."

Josh Lindblom, Nathan Eovaldi and Kenley Jansen held the Diamondbacks to a pair of runs the rest of the game, with Jansen notching his fourth save. Jerry Sands and Matt Kemp each singled in runs in the opening inning against Arizona starter Daniel Hudson, as the Dodgers avoided a three-game sweep and won for the fifth time in eight tries. They will also host San Francisco on this residency.

Dana Eveland will make his third start of the season for Los Angeles Thursday and hopes to remain unbeaten. The former Pirate won at Pittsburgh on Sept. 1 with eight innings of one-run ball in a 6-4 triumph, then hurled seven scoreless innings in Saturday's 3-0 victory at San Francisco. Eveland is 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA in two games (1 start) against the Pirates.

Pittsburgh has lost two straight and five of its last six games, and was assured its 19th consecutive losing season following Wednesday's 3-2 loss versus St. Louis at PNC Park.

"Their attitude and effort is there every day," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We've got to improve our how-to for us to become a championship organization."

Buccos starter Charlie Morton absorbed the loss and tossed seven innings while giving up three runs on six hits and three walks. He fanned six. Morton lost his fourth consecutive start and has not won since August 8 against San Francisco.

Derrek Lee had three hits and an RBI and Alex Presly finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Pirates, who will also visit Arizona for three contests on their current seven-game road swing.

Ross Ohlendorf gets the nod for Pittsburgh tonight and is 0-2 with an 8.03 earned run average in six starts this season. He hasn't won since last July 2 versus Philadelphia in a 2-0 win at home. Ohlendorf, a right-hander, was banged around for six runs and 10 hits in just two innings of work during a 13-4 loss versus Florida on Friday.

Ohlendorf has made two career starts against the Dodgers, going 0-1 with a 4.50 earned run average.

Los Angeles is 3-1 against Pittsburgh this season and has won six of the previous seven matchups between the two ballclubs.

Pokerbatle Baseball Betting News

<< Giants kick off series in Colorado
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Poor run support has left All-Star Ryan Vogelsong without a victory for a month. With their backs against the wall, the Giants and their offense seem to be coming around though. San Francisco tries to win a fifth straig

<< Mets aim to stop skid in finale vs. Nationals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets hope to put the brakes on their five-game losing streak when they wrap up a four-game series versus the Washington Nationals this afternoon from Citi Field. The Mets look to salvage the finale of

<< Tigers resume pursuit of Central title in Oakland
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers have the accelerator on full blast and look to keep their foot on the proverbial gas pedal when they enter Friday's opener of a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum. The Ti

<< Rays open pivotal series in Boston
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays put a bit of a scare into the Boston Red Sox this past weekend at the Trop. The Rays try to get themselves even closer in the wild card standings tonight when the American League East rivals begin a four-

<< Buehrle leads White Sox into opener with Royals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mark Buehrle tries to stop a personal two-game losing streak this evening when the Chicago White Sox open a four-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. After allowing seven earned runs in 3

Phils, Marlins play two at Citizens Bank Park >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One day after becoming the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot, the Phillies won't be getting much rest thanks to a makeup doubleheader with the Marlins. On the bright side, Philadelphia will get

GB&I takes commanding lead at Seve Trophy >>
Paris, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Great Britain & Ireland team took a 4-1 lead over Continental Europe after Thursday's opening day of the Seve Trophy. The GB&I squad, which has won the last five contests, was dominant i

Giants add WR Stokley >>
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Giants signed veteran wide receiver Brandon Stokley on Thursday. Stokley played 11 games for the Seattle Seahawks last season, his 12th in the NFL, and caught 31 passes for 354 yards. T

Frohnmayer ends repeat bid for Hardin at Senior Women's Am >>
Ooltewah, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Terri Frohnmayer defeated defending champion Mina Hardin, 2 & 1, on Thursday to win her first title at the USGA Senior Women's Amateur Championship. "I'm elated. Excited. It's surreal," said Froh

Chicago waives midfielder Maric >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Fire have waived midfielder Marko Maric. The Croatian midfielder appeared in one match for the Fire before suffering an injury against the Portland Timbers on April 14. Maric spent the remainder

MySportsbook.com Posts Heisman Trophy Odds

With 3,919 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and a mere seven interceptions last season, combined with a powerful South Bend Heisman legacy, odds makers at MySportsbook.com have given Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn the best Heisman Trophy odds at 5-2.

Quinn isn’t the only big man on campus this season.  Oklahoma junior running back and 2004 Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson, listed at 7-2, rushed for a combined 3,033 yards in his first two years as a college player and will give Quinn a run for his money. 

This online sportsbook has also listed Troy Smith, Ohio State senior quarterback, as another strong favorite to win the 72nd Heisman Trophy.  A 7-1 bet, Smith threw for 2,282 yards last season and also led the Buckeyes to a convincing 34-20 victory over Quinn and the Fighting Irish in last season’s Fiesta Bowl.

Current betting odds Heisman trophy are:

Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame)
Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)
Troy Smith (QB, Ohio State)
Michael Bush (RB, Louisville)
Steve Slaton (RB, West Virginia)
Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville)
Chris Leak (QB, Florida)
Mike Hart (RB, Michigan)
Ted Ginn (WR, Ohio State)
Darius Walker (RB, Notre Dame)
Drew Tate (QB, Iowa)
Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal)
Kenny Irons (RB, Auburn)
Chad Henne (QB, Michigan)
Kyle Wright (QB, Miami)
Drew Stanton (QB, Michigan State)
Kenneth Darby (RB, Alabama)
JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU)
Drew Weatherford (QB, Florida State)
Blake Mitchell (QB, South Carolina)
Reggie Ball (QB, Georgia Tech)		 5-2
7-2
7-1
10-1
10-1
12-1
12-1
18-1
18-1
20-1
30-1
35-1
35-1
40-1
50-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1

For complete NCAA Football odds visit MySportsbook.com.