AL Central-leading Twins resume set in Seattle

Baseball Betting Lines

08/28/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Twins, leaders of the AL Central, continue a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

Nick Blackburn will make his 20th start of the season for Minnesota this afternoon, and he will attempt to even his overall record at 8-8. Blackburn, who owns a 6.49 ERA, returned to the rotation on Monday and suffered a loss despite giving up just three runs over seven innings against Texas. That was his first quality start since June 12th.

In 28 2/3 career innings against the Mariners, Blackburn is 1-1 with a 4.08 ERA.

Doug Fister will get the ball for Seattle in hopes of improving his 4-9 record. Judging by his 3.87 ERA, however, Fister has pitched better than the record indicates. He was a hard-luck loser on Monday when he permitted just two earned runs to the Red Sox in 6 1/3 innings.

Fister owns an 0-2 career mark versus Minnesota with a 4.97 ERA.

Joe Mauer had three hits with two RBI and Scott Baker pitched into the seventh inning yesterday, as the American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins beat Seattle, 6-3.

Baker (12-9) gave up two runs on five hits and three walks to win his fifth straight decision.

Danny Valencia hit a two-run triple for Minnesota, which avoided a four-game sweep at Texas with a 6-4 victory Thursday. The Twins also remained 3 1/2 games ahead of Chicago in the division standings after the White Sox beat the Yankees earlier Friday.

Chone Figgins knocked in a pair of runs for the Mariners, which returned home after splitting their season-high 12-game road trip. Jason Vargas (9-7) allowed five runs -- four earned -- on nine hits in six innings.

"I thought he made good pitches, and they just happened to put them in the right spot," Mariners manager Daren Brown said of Vargas.

Ichiro extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

Minnesota improved to 19-9 versus AL West opponents.

The Twins acquired left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash or a player to be named later on Friday.

Minnesota has won five of its eight meetings with the Mariners this season.

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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.