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07/21/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays will attempt to bounce back from a frustrating loss to the Baltimore Orioles when the two American League East inhabitants square off again this afternoon at Camden Yards, but it looks like as if they'll have to do so without the services of one of their best players.
The last-place Orioles evened this three-game series by virtue of last night's 11-10, 13-inning victory, in which the Rays twice failed on chances to close out the contest. Baltimore scored twice in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the game into extra frames, then once more in the 12th after Tampa Bay took a brief 10-9 lead in the top of the inning.
Baltimore finally prevailed when Cesar Izturis drew a leadoff walk off Lance Cormier (3-2) in the bottom of the 13th, advanced to second on a sacrifice, and scored on Julio Lugo's base hit to right.
"This was a total team effort," said Lugo. "Everybody did a little bit of something. We make plays together."
Izturis also ignited the Orioles' ninth-inning rally with a leadoff single against Rays closer Rafael Soriano. Felix Pie followed with a double before Miguel Tejada drove home both runners with a two-base hit that knotted the score at 9-9.
Tampa Bay went back ahead on Willy Aybar's RBI single in the top of the 12th, but Baltimore again answered in its half of the inning when Corey Patterson doubled and later crossed the plate on Scott Moore's sacrifice fly.
Tejada also delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh, while Luke Scott homered twice and finished 3-for-4 with three RBI to help the Orioles stop a four-game slide. Ty Wigginton and Adam Jones each added solo blasts to Baltimore's 16-hit attack.
Tampa Bay received solo home runs from Matt Joyce, B.J. Upton and Reid Brignac on the night, but couldn't hold onto a four-run lead and lost for the third time in five games since the All-Star break. Aybar ended 2-for-6 and knocked in three runs in the disappointing defeat.
"This was a game we should've won but we didn't," said Tampa manager Joe Maddon. "I give [the Orioles] credit -- they played very hard and they kept coming after us. I commend them for their competitive spirit."
Tuesday's loss was made more painful when Rays outfielder Carl Crawford was forced to leave the game in the first inning after being hit in the groin by a pickoff attempt from Baltimore starter Jake Arrieta. The 2010 All-Star is considered day-to-day, but likely won't be in the lineup this afternoon.
On a positive note, the Rays remained 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East after New York lost to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday.
Tampa Bay had won 10 of its 12 most recent meetings with the Orioles, including six of seven bouts to begin this season, prior to yesterday's setback.
James Shields, who'll be toeing the rubber for the Rays this afternoon, has also fared quite well when facing the Orioles over the years, having amassed a 6-2 record with a 3.01 ERA in 16 career starts. He's been especially good pitching at Camden Yards, where the right-hander owns a 3-0 mark and a 2.70 ERA over seven previous visits.
The past two months haven't been good for Shields, however, as he enters this afternoon's tilt having lost eight of his past 10 decisions and registered a subpar 6.75 ERA during that 10-start span. Home runs have been a particular issue for the usually-steady hurler, who's served up 12 long balls in 60 innings of work over his rough stretch.
Shields allowed two more homers in his first start after the All-Star break, but still managed to hold the heavy-hitting New York Yankees to three runs over six innings this past Friday. He did not get a decision in an eventual 5-4 Tampa loss.
In his only prior encounter with Baltimore this season, Shields permitted three runs and struck out six in a six-inning no-decision at Tropicana Field on April 6.
Orioles scheduled starter Brad Bergesen has also been in a serious rut as of late. The second-year hurler has taken a loss in three straight outings and dropped five consecutive decisions since a May 12 victory over Seattle, while surrendering four runs or more seven times in that eight-start sequence.
Bergesen's slide continued when he was reached for four runs and nine hits through six innings against Toronto last Friday at Camden Yards. The right- hander was even less effective when taking on the Rays at home back on April 14, with Tampa Bay scoring eight runs (five earned) and homering twice before he was removed after only three innings.
The 24-year-old also lost his only previous start against the Rays, which also took place in Baltimore, and has allowed 12 runs (nine earned) over 8 2/3 innings versus today's opponent.
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BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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