Baseball Odds Game Preview - Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The betting world could have never predicted what happened in the opening game of this series between the Astros and the Phillies. Ryan Howard was ejected in the 14th inning of a 16 inning game for throwing his bat, and that meant that former Astros pitcher and now Phillies pitcher Roy Oswalt had to play left field. It would be a sequence of events that would cost the Phillies the game, and Philadelphia hopes that Ryan Howard can keep his cool the rest of this series.

In Houston, they are already thinking about NFL betting and NCAA football betting. The Houston Texans of the NFL look like they may challenge for a playoff spot this year and the town is buzzing. Ever since the Astros fell out of the playoff chase and then gave up Oswalt to the Phillies, Houston has not been buzzing too much about the Astros.

It is too bad because the Astros have won six of their last 10 which includes a winning streak that was continued with that long first game of this series. But at 15 and a half games back in the standings, the Astros look to have no chance at the NL Central pennant or the NL Wild Card berth.

Ryan Howard’s temper did not help the Phillies at all. Losing the first game of this series kept the Phillies two and half games away from the NL East leading Atlanta Braves. To top it off, the Braves lost that night which means the Phillies lost a chance to gain one game on them. The loss by the Phillies, coupled with a win by the San Francisco Giants, now puts the Giants and Phillies tied for the NL Wild Card berth. The Phillies have a lot to play for in this series.

When the season started, MLB betting experts had the Phillies and the St. Louis Cardinals meeting in the NLCS. If that is going to happen, the Phillies need to get back to winning and the Cardinals need to stop losing to teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In this game the Phillies are sending Kyle Kendrick to the mound. Kendrick has an 8-6 record and a 4.58 ERA. He has been spectacular at times, and at other times he looks lost on the mound. This season, Kendrick has nine starts where he has allowed five or more earned runs. The Phillies could use a good Kendrick effort in this game.

The Astros will be sending Wandy Rodriguez to the mound for this game. It has been a tough year for Rodriguez as he has pitched well but holds a 9-12 record and a 4.00 ERA. The defense behind him and the run support when he has been on the mound have both been lacking this season. As an example, in his last start he had 10 strikeouts, only allowed two runs and still lost to the Marlins.

The Astros scored four runs in their 16 inning epic win to start this series. If they can continue to do that, then they have a chance at beating the Phillies, The Phillies need to work at keeping the wheels on the track. Howard’s ejection and Oswalt’s terrible pitching since joining the Phillies are contributing to Philadelphia’s drop in the standings.

Pick: Philadelphia Phillies 4-2

NFL Preview for August 26, 2010: St. Louis Rams @ New England Patriots

It is only preseason, but the betting experts are already cringing from the way the Rams’ rookie quarterback Sam Bradford is getting knocked around. Bradford did not get sacked in the last preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, but he only went 6 for 14 with 24 yards in the air. The rookie is getting a rude welcome to the NFL.

The leaves the NFL football betting enthusiasts in St. Louis wondering how this coming season will play out. Will the Rams employ a tactic more commonly seen by NCAA football betting experts and utilize a platoon system at quarterback with Sam Bradford and Keith Null (until A.J. Feeley comes back from his thumb injury)? Or is this still Bradford’s job? If the Rams were smart, they would put Feeley out there when he is healthy and let Bradford learn from the sidelines where he cannot get hurt.

On a brighter note for the Rams, running back Steven Jackson ripped off an 11-yard run as one of his four attempts in the Cleveland game. Rookie running back Keith Toston also looked good as he carried the ball 13 times for 23 yards. Considering what the Rams are working with for an offensive line, those are good numbers for a rookie running back.

The New England Patriots are doing just fine this preseason. In their most recent preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, quarterback Tom Brady went 10 for 12 in passing with 85 yards and a touchdown. Receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker both played well, but it is difficult to watch the Pats play and not wonder how much better they would be with wide receiver Torry Holt on the field. Unfortunately, due to his injury in the first preseason game, that may be something we will never know.

The NFL football betting lines makers have the Patriots as 10 to 1 odds to win the Super Bowl this season. Those odds take a hit without Torry Holt in there, but there is just too much experience on offense to count the Pats out, and head coach Bill Belichick gives them an advantage as well.

The reason the Rams beat the Browns in the last preseason game was the play of quarterback A.J. Feeley. Because of his thumb injury, Feeley will probably not play in this game. With the offensive line playing the way it is, it is doubtful that Bradford will be on his feet long enough to be effective. It is also doubtful that running back Steven Jackson will be able to carry too many footballs into the endzone.

The Patriot machine just keeps rolling along. Belichick will give his guys the looks he needs to determine his starters, but he will also be coaching to get the most out of his players. Getting the most out of the Patriots players is always bad news for the opposition. Especially when that opposition is playing the way the Rams are playing.

Pick: New England Patriots 21-10

Oakland Raiders Won their Second Game in the NFL Betting Preseason

The Oakland Raiders won their second game in the preseason of the NFL betting by defeating the Chicago Bears 32-17 in the second week of displays in games.

The Bears' star linebacker, Brian Urlacher, who could only participate in the first game of the 2009 season after fracturing a wrist, an injured left calf in the first offensive opponent and did not return to the game.

The new Raiders quarterback, Jason Campbell, and the Bears' starter, Jay Cutler, played the first half of the betting game at Solider Field.

Campbell was 10 of 20 completions for 170 yards, one interception and one touchdown in a sprint.

Cutler completed 7 of 15 for 99 yards with a touchdown pass to Johnny Knox 22 yards but was sacked five times, four by linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

Slade Norris reserve linebacker recovered a blocked punt by the Bears in the local zone and then another attempt blocked punt for a safety.

Oakland improved its NFL preseason betting record to 2-0 and Chicago fell to 0-2.