How Andruw got his groove back

Baseball Betting Lines

07/21/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For most of the first half of the 2007 MLB season, Atlanta Braves center fielder Andruw Jones couldn't hit his way out of a wet paper bag with scissors in his hand.

Forget that Jones is a treasure chest full of talent in the outfield because he was not producing offensively to help his team reach the win column on a regular basis. Not that he has to do all of the work, but from June 10 - 25 Jones did not record a home run or an RBI and was mired in an 0- for-21 hitless streak.

Then the sleeping giant awoke from his slumber and began making contact with the ball similar to his days as a teenage rookie. Since June 26 Jones has hit safely in 17-of-19 games with eight home runs, 23 RBI and a .303 batting average (23-for-76). Over his last 10 games, the nine-time Gold Glove award winner is batting .385 (15-for-39) with five homers and 16 runs batted in.

In Thursday's series-opening 10-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, Jones homered and knocked in three runs. However, his season marks are still low with a .220 batting average, 19 home runs and 65 RBI. But what do you expect from a player who opened the first eight weeks of the season hitting much like former Golden Girls star Betty White circa 2007?

Jones, a five-time All-Star, is on pace for his 10th straight season with at least 25 home runs and will most likely add a 10th Gold Glove to his name. Manager Bobby Cox surely hopes so since his ballclub is only 2 1/2 games off the lead in the National League East standings. And don't forget Jones is in his contract year so big numbers will bring in big bucks.

Jones and the Braves have won 13 of their last 20 games, and put the brakes on a three-game losing streak with last night's nine-run triumph over the defending World Series-champion Cardinals.

CHIPPER RIPPIN' IT UP/ FRANCO RETURNS

Chipper Jones has been on a tear since coming off the disabled list on June 13 because of sore hands.

Jones is batting .388 (45-for-116) and has hit safely in 26 of his last 30 games, including 14 multi-hit games. Jones went 2-for-3 in last night's win.

Meanwhile, ageless veteran Julio Franco made his return to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday after the New York Mets placed him on waivers.

"If it wouldn't have been Atlanta, I would have gone home because I know this is one organization that I can trust to know what I'm capable of doing and how to use me," said, Franco, who started at first base on Thursday and drove in a pair of runs with a single.

The 48-year-old Franco batted .292 with the Braves from 2001-2005 and has already earned the trust and confidence from his manager.

"It's nice to see his smiling face in that clubhouse," longtime skipper Bobby Cox said. "He looks good. He loves the game of baseball and he has fun with it. Plus he's a winner. He was a big cog in our wheel during the years that he was here."

Franco will be primarily used as a pinch-hitter and will also get most of his starts at first base against left-handed starters. Rookie Jarrod Saltalamacchia will play first base against right-handed starting pitchers.

To make room for Franco on the roster, the Braves sent starting pitcher Kyle Davies to Triple-A Richmond. Davies was 4-8 with a 5.76 ERA in 17 starts this season, but was 1-5 with a 7.31 ERA in his past seven trips to the mound.

"He's just got to be more consistent," Cox said of Davies. "He's got everything going for him. He's a sharp kid. He's got all the pitches. He's a great athlete."

SMOLTZ BACK IN ACTION

Veteran starting pitcher John Smoltz was activated off the disabled list this week because of shoulder inflammation.

Smoltz, who was shelved on July 6, pitched seven shutout innings and gave up five hits in a 5-4 15-inning loss to the Reds. He struck out 11 and walked just two, and even struck out five consecutive batters during the game.

"Mentally I was as good as I've ever been -- you have to be when you've had a long layoff," Smoltz said after the game. "The physical part will click back in when I get back in a five-day routine.

"I guess it was best that it was a day game, to get really hot and be able to stay loose."

The right-hander was named to his eighth All-Star Game but couldn't play because of injury.

He is 2-2 over his last five outings with a 3.00 ERA.

WHO'S HOT

Andruw Jones. (See above)

Also, starting pitcher Tim Hudson is riding a five-game unbeaten streak.

Hudson is 4-0 with a 2.61 earned run average in his last five starts, with his only poor performance during that stretch coming on July 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. That day Hudson yielded six runs and 10 hits in three innings of an 8-6 Atlanta victory.

The right-hander is currently riding a personal two-game winning streak.

WHO'S NOT

Starting pitcher Kyle Davies was certainly not doing well as of late and the recent acquisition of Julio Franco made him expendable.

ON DECK

Atlanta is 4-3 on a 10-game homestand and will wrap it up with three more games against the St. Louis Cardinals.

After the Braves close out the stand on Sunday, they will open a seven-game road trip to San Francisco and Arizona.

Wwwthesims Baseball Betting News

<< Bonds brings home run chase to hallowed grounds of Milwaukee
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Barry Bonds is within reach of Hank Aaron's all-time home run mark of 755, and may catch "Hammerin Hank" in the city that the legend spent most of his career, as the San Francisco Giants are set to begin a three-g

<< Tiger struggles on Friday
Carnoustie, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tiger Woods' first tee shot of the second round set an ominous tone for the two-time defending British Open champion. He pulled his tee shot on one into water and out of bounds at Carnoustie.

<< Angel adds to growing list of MLS awards
Commerce City, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull New York forward Juan Pablo Angel was named Honda Most Valuable Player of the 2007 MLS All-Star game Thursday night at Dicks Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. Angels game- winning

<< Suns ship Thomas to SuperSonics
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Suns traded center Kurt Thomas and two future first-round draft picks to the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday in exchange for a future second-round pick. Due to the trade, the Suns cleared $8 m

<< Oakland sputtering into second half of season
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Athletics are in dire straights right now, having lost nine of their last 10 games. The A's are a pathetic 1-6 since the All-Star break and now trail the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by 11 1/2 games in the Americ

Mickelson likely to miss the cut at British Open >>
Carnoustie, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For the second consecutive major, it looks like Phil Mickelson will have the weekend off. The three-time major champion shot a six-over-par 77 at the British Open Championship on Friday and fin

San Antonio Silver Stars >>
Signed Center Chantelle Anderson.

MISL announces 2008 Championship Series format >>
Westport, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Major Indoor Soccer League formally announced on Wednesday the format for the 2008 MISL Championship Series, according to MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan. The 2008 MISL Championship Series consist

Cubs activate Dempster from DL >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Cubs activated closer Ryan Dempster off the 15-day disabled list on Friday. Dempster, who went on the DL June 26 with a left oblique strain, has a 1-3 record with a 3.38 ERA and 16 saves in 1

Angels fighting to keep hold of first place >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have done everything they can to separate themselves from the rest of the American League West. The Angels finished up the first half of the season with a Major League-best 53 wins

MySportsbook.com : Fortune Favors Favorites in March Madness betting?

Just like Day 1 of the “Sweet 16”, Friday’s games are chock full of some of the nation’s elite.  Unlike Thursday’s games, there is a little bit more of a “Cinderella” feel as #7 seed UNLV and #6 seed Vanderbilt will attempt to move on to the Elite Eight.  With powerhouses Florida, UNC and Georgetown looking to continue their momentum against lesser known teams, it isn’t surprising that once again the “betting public” is backing most of the favorites.  As the early coin rolls in, 56% of Sportsbook.com bettors prefer Georgetown (-7.5) as they take on Vanderbilt; 84% of the early money is backing Oregon (-3) as they square off against UNLV; and a slight majority (52%) of the early cash is on Florida (-10.5) against Butler as the Gators continue their quest for another National Title. The only favorite the public don’t seem confident in is UNC, as 59% of the cash is backing the underdog Trojans (+8).

Midwest

#1 Florida vs. #5 Butler

The defending National Champs have been on a mission since last April.  Joakim Noah and Al Horford turned down millions of dollars for one reason, to REPEAT.  After a late season hiccup which saw them lose three out of four, the Gators have won six straight by an average of 20.3 points. More importantly, they covered in five of those six games.  Behind their stymie defense that yields only 56.9 PPG, Butler has been a very pleasant surprise this season.  As their 20-11 ATS record will indicate, “surprise teams” like Butler are often good bets for gamblers.  Playing in an average conference, Butler wasn’t and underdog too often but when they were, they covered (6-0 ATS).  Butler’s defense will have its hands full against a Gators offense which averages 80.1 PPG on an amazing 52.9% shooting from the field.  With Florida’s tournament experience over the last few years, it isn’t surprising that they are 5-1 ATS this season, 20-4 ATS over the last three seasons and 38-20 since 1997 in tournament action.

#3 Oregon vs. #7 UNLV

As a #7 seed, UNLV is the closest thing to a “Cinderella” we have this year.  If you bet on UNLV this season with any regularity, you most likely cashed in. Behind their guard oriented attack, the Rebels are an impressive 20-11 ATS this season.  As an underdog they covered in 8 out of their ten games which isn’t surprising since they are 52-30 ATS as a ‘dog since 1997. The Rebels have been a consistent cover during the month of March as well.  This March they are 6-0 ATS, 11-3 ATS over the last three seasons and 24-11 since 1997. Their impressive ATS trends don’t end there; versus teams with a winning record they are 15-6 ATS this season and 41-21 over the last three seasons.  Although Oregon hasn’t been as generous to gamblers as UNLV this season, they have been covering consistently as of late.  There is no question that they are playing their best ball of the season having won their last 8 straight up (SU) by an average of 14.5 points. Not surprising they covered in 7 of those games.  It is interesting to note how similar these teams are in regards to scoring and scoring defense. UNLV averages 75 PPG while giving up 66.5 PPG and Oregon scores 75.8 PPG while yielding 65.5 PPG.

East

#6 Vanderbilt vs. #2 Georgetown

“Hoya Paranoia” is officially back! After a decent start, Georgetown has rolled through the second half of the season.  Over their last 18 games, they are 17-1 SU.  They have definitely improved ATS as the season has progressed as well. After opening the season 1-4-1 ATS, the Hoyas have covered 78.3% of their games.  With their great interior play of Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas as a team shoot 50.5% from the field.  Like the Georgetown teams from years ago, they also excel on defense.  Hoya opponents averaged only 56.8 PPG on 38.2% shooting from the field and an extremely low 30.4% from beyond the arc.  The last stat could be of some concern to Vanderbilt considering they shoot 37.7% from long-range.  Ranking second to last in the SEC in rebounding margin, Vanderbilt will have its work cut out for them against the Hoya trees. As far as covering is concerned, Vanderbilt has been almost a “sure thing” (7-1 ATS) versus good defensive teams that allow less than 64 PPG.

#1 UNC vs. # 5 USC

The Tar Heels are as talented and as deep as any team in the country.  Going ten deep and chock full of HS All-Americans, UNC averages 86.1 PPG and scored 100+ seven times.  Led by All-American forward, Tyler Hansbrough (18.6 PPG 7.9 RPG) UNC has a very balanced attack which can kill you on the inside as well as on the perimeter.  UNC only real concern is their youth as eight of their rotation players are either sophomores or freshmen.  UNC was a reliable cover this season going 20-13 ATS.  An intriguing covering trend for the Tar Heels in recent years has been how they fared after non-conference games.  This season they are 11-3 ATS after non-conference games and over the last three seasons they are 31-13 ATS.  USC is also a pretty deep team which is loaded with swingman types.  An match-up to keep an eye on will be freshman forward Taj Gibson (12.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) as he squares off against the AA Hansbrough.  USC has been a covering machine this season achieving a 21-10 record ATS.  They have thrived in the underdog role, having covered 10 out of 12.  When playing a team with a winning record, the Trojans are an incredible 20-6 ATS. Keep in mind, USC dedicated their season to former star to Ryan Francis who passed away before the season so as they get closer to the ultimate goal, emotion could definitely be on their side.

With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action.  Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at this sportsbook “Betting Trends”.  By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.

To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards

About MySportsbook.com MySportsbook.com  is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best US Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.