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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.
<< Downtrodden Dodgers continue home set with Astros
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Dodgers will try to stop a three-game slide
when they resume a four-game series this evening versus the Houston Astros at
Chavez Ravine.
Los Angeles, which has lost nine of 11 and is 4-14 over its last
<< Padres begin key series with playoff-hopeful Rockies
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeff Francis will try to keep his unbeaten streak intact
when he takes the mound this evening for the Colorado Rockies in the opener of
a three-game series with the NL West-rival San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
Francis
<< Cardinals have chance to close gap on struggling Brewers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers will
play the first of three games against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals
this evening at Miller Park.
Milwaukee is just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Chicago Cu
<< It's official: Kyle Busch to JGR
Huntersville, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One of the worst kept secrets was made
official when Joe Gibbs Racing announced on Tuesday that it had signed 22-
year-old Kyle Busch to a contract. The younger brother of 2004 Nextel Cup
champio
Rizzuto dead at 89 >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Yankees Hall of Famer and legendary
broadcaster Phil Rizzuto died on Tuesday morning. He was 89.
The former Yankee shortstop and 1950 MVP made an equally big name on the
airwaves, calling s
Coyotes' Ricci hangs up skates >>
Peterborough, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Phoenix Coyotes center Mike Ricci
announced his retirement Monday, ending his 16-year career in the NHL,
according to a Canadian newspaper
Ricci, 35, made the announcement during the a
This Week in Auto Racing August 17 - August 19 >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's a light week for racing unless you
are trying to make the "Chase for the Nextel Cup." Then it's a huge weekend,
one of just four remaining, before we determine who will race for the 2007
champio
Celtics putting finishing touches on roster >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - All-Stars Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are not
the only players on Boston's roster, and that trio will need some help if the
Celtics hope to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987.
Guards Tony A
Many fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.)
"To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good."
Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins
There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida.
Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins
Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October.
USC Trojans - 10.5 wins
A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention.
Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy
Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2
He won it last year, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to do it again, making him just the second player to go back-to-back. Ohio State's Archie Griffin turned the trick in 1974 and 1975, and Tebow's coach, Urban Meyer, is pretty sure his star quarterback can match the Buckeyes legend.
"There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach."
Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1
The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines.
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1
If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J.
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March Madness odds and printable March Madness brackets
With the field of 64/65 set, MySportsbook.com has the Florida Gators as the 4-1 favorite to successfully defend their National Championship. Men’s Division-1 College Basketball has not seen a team repeat as National Champions since Duke won back to back championships in ’91 & ‘92. After losing three out of four late in the season, the Gators are full of momentum as they won their last four games by an average of 18 points. Not surprisingly, right behind the Gators are the other three top seeds: Kansas 5-1, UNC 6-1, and Ohio State 7-1. Many consider Kansas to be the hottest team in the country, having won 11 straight. With Kansas, it is hard to ignore all of the early exits from the “dance” in recent years. With an impressive ACC Tournament, UNC ensured themselves the other top seed. UNC has about as much talent as any other team in the tournament but with a team that’s best players are primarily freshman and sophomores, could youth be a concern. Behind freshman sensation, Greg Oden, OSU will look to do what their football team failed to do just a few months earlier. OSU seems to have peeked at the right time, as they currently have a 17 game winning streak. Since the tournament field was expanded in 1985, there has never been an instance where all four #1 seeds advanced to the Final Four. It is obvious that each of the top seeds have the talent to make it through to Atlanta. But as everyone knows, when makes the NCAA Tournament so special are all of the spoilers and “Cinderella” stories that knock off the favorites on a daily basis.
Be sure to logon to MySportsbook.com to see check out all of the early lines and “March Madness” props. Also be sure to enter the “$10,000,000 Perfect Bracket Contest”. If someone has the skills to predict every winner, they will be set for life and walk away with $10,000,000. Even if no one can cash in on the Grand Prize, with a $35,000 guaranteed prize pool and a Mazda RX-8 to the first prize winner, Sportsbook.com’s bracket is a must for all “March Madness” fans.
MySportsbook.com’s odds to win the Championship and Regions:
| EAST | National Championship | Region |
| Arkansas | 300-1 | 50-1 |
| Belmont | 1000-1 | |
| Boston College | 100-1 | 40-1 |
| Eastern KY | 1000-1 | |
| George Washington | 75-1 | |
| Georgetown | 10-1 | 3-2 |
| Marquette | 100-1 | 40-1 |
| Michigan State | 100-1 | 25-1 |
| New Mexico St. | 500-1 | 200-1 |
| UNC | 6-1 | 6-5 |
| Oral Roberts | 500-1 | |
| Texas | 15-1 | 5-1 |
| Texas Tech | 200-1 | 5-1 |
| USC | 75-1 | 20-1 |
| Vanderbilt | 100-1 | 30-1 |
| Washington State | 40-1 | 15-1 |
| WEST | ||
| Duke | 50-1 | 10-1 |
| Florida A&M | 1000-1 | |
| Gonzaga | 200-1 | 40-1 |
| Holy Cross | 300-1 | |
| Illinois | 300-1 | 60-1 |
| Indiana | 75-1 | 40-1 |
| Kansas | 5-1 | 13-10 |
| Kentucky | 100-1 | 40-1 |
| Niagara | 1000-1 | |
| Pittsburgh | 40-1 | 8-1 |
| Southern Ill. | 50-1 | 12-1 |
| UCLA | 10-1 | 3-2 |
| VCU | 500-1 | 100-1 |
| Villanova | 100-1 | 40-1 |
| VA Tech | 50-1 | 15-1 |
| Weber St | 1000-1 | |
| Wright St | 1000-1 | 300-1 |
| MIDWEST | ||
| Arizona | 50-1 | 30-1 |
| Butler | 40-1 | 30-1 |
| Davidson | 300-1 | |
| Florida | 4-1 | 4-5 |
| Georgia Tech | 75-1 | 25-1 |
| Jackson State | 1000-1 | |
| Maryland | 30-1 | 6-1 |
| Miami-OH | 300-1 | |
| Notre Dame | 100-1 | 20-1 |
| ODU | 500-1 | 100-1 |
| Oregon | 40-1 | 6-1 |
| Purdue | 300-1 | 60-1 |
| Texas A&M CC | 1000-1 | |
| UNLV | 100-1 | 30-1 |
| Winthrop | 500-1 | 100-1 |
| Wisconsin | 15-1 | 7-2 |
| SOUTH | ||
| Albany | 200-1 | |
| BYU | 200-1 | 40-1 |
| Central CT St. | 1000-1 | |
| Creighton | 100-1 | 35-1 |
| Long Beach St. | 500-1 | 200-1 |
| Louisville | 40-1 | 10-1 |
| Memphis | 30-1 | 4-1 |
| Nevada | 75-1 | 35-1 |
| North Texas | 500-1 | |
| Ohio State | 7-1 | 6-5 |
| Penn | 500-1 | |
| Stanford | 200-1 | 50-1 |
| Tennessee | 100-1 | 20-1 |
| Texas A&M | 12-1 | 11-5 |
| Virginia | 75-1 | 18-1 |
| Xavier | 100-1 | 40-1 |
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