A's try to get on track in finale with Angels

Baseball Betting Lines

05/16/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Suffering with the longest losing streak in the American League at the moment, the Oakland Athletics try to close out their three-game set in southern California on a positive note as they take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this afternoon.

On Saturday Oakland fell a game under .500 on the season and to a dismal 5-12 on the road as a result of its 12-3 setback to the Angels. Consequently, LA is now just 1 1/2 games behind the A's for second place in the AL West, with both teams chasing the Texas Rangers at the moment.

Kendry Morales blasted a pair of home runs for the hosts, leading to his five RBI, while Bobby Abreu logged yet another double as he posted three hits and a pair of runs scored. Torii Hunter scored twice and also knocked in one, marking the 900th RBI of his career.

On the mound it was Ervin Santana who handled the action for the Angels, giving up just two earned runs on seven hits and three walks, striking out six over six innings as he picked up his second win of the campaign.

"I was more confident and comfortable when you have a lot of run support. Everything was good when you put everything together," Santana said.

Justin Duchscherer, who had just come off the 15-day disabled list prior to the contest, had been scheduled to make the start for the visiting A's, but he was a late scratch due to left hip inflammation.

"In my warm-up run I felt a little something in my hip. When I was in the bullpen I couldn't land properly," Duchscherer said. "I will see the doctor again to see if I need surgery."

Getting the emergency start instead was Tyson Ross, who lasted just 3 2/3 innings, permitting three earned runs on three hits in his first-ever start. Later in the contest reliever Chad Gaudin was assaulted for five earned runs on eight hits in a mere 2 2/3 innings for the struggling visitors.

Catcher Landon Powell posted three hits in four at-bats for the A's as he and Eric Patterson each tallied an RBI in the contest.

Having been called up from Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League the first of the month, Trevor Cahill is set to make his fourth appearance on the mound for the A's this afternoon. The right-hander, with a career record of 11-14 at the tender age of 22, last threw on Tuesday when he faced off against Texas for the second time in a week. Against the Rangers the second time around Cahill made it through 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a pair of walks in a 7-6 victory, although he failed to factor into the decision.

In 2009 Cahill made three appearances against the Angels, and while he was able to keep his ERA down to 2.70 over 16 2/3 innings, his control was another story as he issued 11 bases-on-balls.

As for the Angels, they have Joel Pineiro penciled in for his next trip to the mound today. Pineiro, currently 1-2 with a 3.16 ERA at home this season, last pitched on Monday when he led the squad to a 5-4 win over Tampa Bay but failed to factor into the decision.

The 31-year old threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings versus the Rays, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out seven to match a season high. Nevertheless, Pineiro is still trying to snap a personal three-game slide and has not notched a win since April 19 against Detroit.

Of all the opponents in the majors, Pineiro has more wins against the A's (eight) than any other foe in his career, but he also has more setbacks against Oakland as well (eight).

The Angels are now a game up on Oakland at 3-2 on the season, this after posting a 12-7 advantage last year when they won eight of nine on the road versus the A's.

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Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.