Griffey shines in debut as White Sox down Royals
Baseball Betting Lines
08/02/2008 -
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Newly-acquired Ken Griffey Jr. made an
immediate impact in his White Sox debut, going 2-for-3 with a walk and two
RBI, as Chicago doubled up the Kansas City Royals, 4-2, in the opener of a
three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.
Chicago obtained the 13-time All-Star and 1997 AL MVP from the Cincinnati Reds
in exchange for second baseman Danny Richar and right-handed pitcher Nick
Masset prior to Thursday's non-waiver trading deadline.
Orlando Cabrera, Carlos Quentin and Alexei Ramirez each had two hits for the
White Sox, who had lost four of their last five games coming in.
Javier Vazquez (8-9) allowed two runs on five hits in six innings to pick up
his first win since June 17. Vazquez had gone 0-4 in his previous six outings.
Chicago remains a half-game ahead of Minnesota for first place in the AL
Central following the Twins' 4-1 victory on Friday.
Luke Hochevar (6-9) gave up four runs on 10 hits over six innings to take the
loss for Kansas City.
Billy Butler was 2-for-4 and knocked in a run for the Royals, who snapped a
four-game winning streak.
Chicago got on the board in the second inning as Jim Thome had a one-out base
hit, advanced to second on a wild pitch and came around to score on Griffey's
two-out single.
"Any time you can contribute with two outs that's a big plus," Griffey said.
"Today I was just fortunate enough to help out. I struggled in that department
throughout the season, but I was just glad to do it today."
The White Sox put up a three-spot in the top of the sixth. Quentin singled to
open the frame and later took second when Hochevar uncorked another wild
pitch. Then Ramirez, Griffey, Nick Swisher and Juan Uribe stroked four
consecutive hits to plate three runs.
Meanwhile, Vazquez was cruising along, allowing just three hits through the
first five innings, but the Royals finally broke through in their half of the
sixth. A one-out walk to Mike Aviles and consecutive singles by Mark
Grudzielanek and Butler led to a run. Alex Gordon followed with a sacrifice
fly to cut into the Sox three-run lead.
Bobby Jenks tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to record his 22nd save of the season.
Game Notes
Griffey's last game as a member of the AL was on October 3, 1999 at Oakland
while playing for the Seattle Mariners...With the acquisition of Griffey, the
White Sox became the first team in baseball history to feature a member of
both the 500 and 600-home run clubs on the same team. Griffey ranks sixth all-
time with 608 home runs, and Thome is 16th with 527...Griffey owns a 17-game
hitting streak versus Kansas City...Vazquez won on the road for the first time
since May 10 at Seattle...Chicago has been in first place every day since May
17...The Chicago White Sox sent third baseman Joe Crede to Triple-A Charlotte
on Friday to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment. Crede was placed on
the 15-day disabled list on July 25, retroactive to July 22, with back lumbar
inflammation...Kansas City outfielder Jose Guillen missed the game with a
tight hip flexor...Chicago's Mark Buehrle (8-9) and Kansas City's Kyle Davies
(4-2) are scheduled to start on Saturday...Grudzielanek had to be helped off
the field in the top of the ninth inning after colliding with first baseman
Ross Gload.
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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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