Former free agent pitching bust having a big season

Baseball Betting Lines

07/26/2010 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - CC Sabathia, Carl Pavano, Justin Verlander, David Price, John Lester. Tell me which name doesn't belong on this list.

If you said Carl Pavano, you normally wouldn't get much of an argument, at least until this season. The Twins right-hander, however, ranks among the top five in wins in the American League this year along with the four previously mentioned pitchers.

Pavano may be best known for the very disappointing four years he spent with the New York Yankees after signing as a free agent for $39.95 million dollars in December of 2004. His career in New York was highlighted by injuries and controversy. He started just 26 games, compiling a 9-8 record with a 4.99 ERA.

After his contract expired with the Yankees, Pavano signed a one-year deal with the Indians for 2009 in hopes of resurrecting his career. He ended up spending only part of the season with Cleveland, as he was dealt to the Twins in August. He combined to go 14-12 with both teams, and actually started the third game of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees. Following the season, Pavano filed for free agency, but later accepted the Twins' offer of salary arbitration, which resulted in a $7 million dollar deal for 2010.

Some observers might have thought that was too high a price for a pitcher who was two games over .500 last season with a history of arm problems, but right now it's turning out to be a steal for the Twins.

Minnesota might not be in the playoff hunt if not for the season Pavano has had so far. His 12 wins (versus only 6 losses) ranks him third in the American League, and he's number two in complete games (5) and WHIP (1.01), and at the moment he's one of the hottest pitchers in baseball, having won seven straight decisions.

Impeccable control has been a big part of his success, and even more so during his current winning streak. He's walked just 19 batters in 143 2/3 innings and issued only five walks during his run.

It's been a long road back since having Tommy John surgery in 2007, but he was always confident he could get to this point.

"I felt like I could do it, but putting that movement into action is a totally different thing," said Pavano. "It's been a while since I've seen the action that I'm seeing right now on my pitches, and to be able to locate the ball in and out, down in the zone with angle, and a little sharper than they've been in the past."

The Twins will need Pavano to stay sharp for the rest of the season if they hope to be playing in October for a second straight year.

QUICK HITS

Ubaldo Jimenez and the Colorado Rockies are fading fast. He gave up six runs and six walks in his last outing Saturday, marking the third time in his last six starts he's given up at least six runs. His ERA over that span is a whopping 7.63. The Rockies now find themselves 7 1/2 games back of the first place Padres in the West.

Two talented young arms in that very same division continue to give a big boost to their respective teams. Mat Latos won his first start off the DL Saturday to improve his record to 11-4. San Diego's 22-year old righty has allowed more than two earned runs only once over his last fourteen starts. Meanwhile, Madison Bumgarner, the Giants' 20-year old southpaw picked up his fourth straight win with a seven inning, two-run performance in Arizona. The rookie's ERA during the winning streak is a minuscule 1.33.

Joba Chamberlain may soon force Yankees' manager Joe Girardi to remove him from his setup role for Mariano Rivera. The struggling Chamberlain gave up a two-run homer to Scott Podsednik Sunday and saw his ERA for July to balloon to 8.10.

Golddustcasino Baseball Betting News

<< Dawson, Herzog and Harvey enter Hall of Fame
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) -Andre Dawson left a lasting impression on the ballfield with his true grit and sense of integrity. His eloquent speech upon entering the pantheon of baseball's greatest stars likely won't soon be forgotten, either.At his indu

<< Zakuani's double leads Sounders past Rapids
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Steve Zakuani scored a pair of goals in the opening 20 minutes as Seattle Sounders FC handed the Colorado Rapids a 2-1 defeat at Qwest Field on Sunday. Sounders designated player Blaise Nkufo was mak

<< Lopez's homer helps Cardinals salvage series in Chicago
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Felipe Lopez hit a two-out solo home run in the 11th inning to give the Cardinals a 4-3 win, avoiding a three-game sweep at the hands of the rival Cubs at Wrigley Field. Albert Pujols also deposited a solo h

<< Texas takes series from Angels to extend division lead
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Josh Hamilton went 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBI and Tommy Hunter stayed undefeated on the year, as Texas pulled out a 6-4 victory over the American League West rival Angels. The Angels made big new

<< Ferdinand still six weeks away from return
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is still six weeks away from returning to action. Ferdinand looks set to miss the start of the new season despite previous suggestions of a full

Angels get Dan Haren and a tree falls in the forest >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Yawn. That is exactly the first thought that went through my head when my I-Phone beeped on Sunday night with the news that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had acquired Dan Haren from the Arizona Diamondbacks for Joe Sau

Phillies go for four-game sweep of Rockies >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies will try to complete a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies this afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia won its fourth straight game on Sunday, as Jimmy Rollins tied the contest and then

Appalachian State, Villanova stars headline All-America team >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Appalachian State may have lost two-time Walter Payton Award winner Armanti Edwards, but it boasts a national-best seven players on The Sportsbook Betting Lines/Fathead.com Football Championship Subdivision Preseason A

Cubs hope Silva can bounce back versus Astros >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Silva tries to bounce back from two miserable outings this evening when the Chicago Cubs begin a three-game series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Silva, who won his first eight decisions of the seas

A-Rod tries again for milestone homer in Yanks' opener vs. Indians >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alex Rodriguez's quest for his 600th career home run resumes on the road this evening, when the superstar third baseman and his New York Yankee teammates start up a seven-game trek with the first of four consecutive meetings

NFL Football Betting


BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES

It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.

BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES

All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.

COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES

Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.

TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES

Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.

RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES

Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.

PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES

Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.

JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES

Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.

SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES

I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.

VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES

Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.

DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES

Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.

SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES

I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.

BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES

Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.

BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES

Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.

RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES

A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.

PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers

Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.

Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.