Angels, Santana try to regroup in Baltimore

Baseball Betting Lines

09/17/2011 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ervin Santana tries to put the brakes on a personal two- game losing streak this evening when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continue a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

After losing to Seattle on September 6, Santana again found himself in the loss column on Sunday against the New York Yankees, as he allowed six runs (five earned) and eight hits in six innings. He also fanned eight, but walked four and fell to 11-11 on the year to go along with a 3.30 earned run average.

"Ervin's stuff was good," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "He pitched well; we just couldn't close it out."

Santana, who has won his last five road starts, beat the O's the last time he faced them and is 4-4 with a 5.32 ERA in 11 starts against them.

Baltimore will counter with left-handed rookie Zach Britton, who is 9-10 with a 4.43 ERA. Britton lost for the first time in four decisions on Monday against Tampa, which reached him for four runs and five hits in five innings.

"He's just inconsistent with it, like a lot of young pitchers," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Britton's effectiveness. "Hopefully he'll figure it out with the help he's got and will continue to get."

Britton has never faced the Angels.

Anaheim wasted a golden opportunity to gain some ground on the Texas Rangers in the American League West on Friday, as J.J. Hardy drove in three runs while Nolan Reimold added a two-run home run to lead Baltimore to an 8-3 win.

Mark Reynolds hit a solo homer and scored twice while Robert Andino added two hits, an RBI and two runs scored for the Orioles, who have won three straight. Tommy Hunter (4-4) snapped a two-start losing streak as he pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up seven hits and two walks while striking out five.

"We played really good out there tonight, all around," said Reynolds. "Hopefully we can keep it up down the stretch and make life tough for the other teams."

Hank Conger hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning and Alexi Amarista added an RBI single in the frame for the Angels, who had a two-game winning streak stopped and remained 3 1/2 games back of Texas, which lost to Seattle.

Dan Haren (15-9) was tagged for seven runs -- six earned -- on seven hits over five-plus innings.

"I've been searching for a bit of consistency all season," said Haren. "You know, it's frustrating to go out there and give up that many runs."

The Angels have won five of their seven matchups with the O's this season.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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