Reds seek rare series win at Dodger Stadium

Baseball Betting Lines

08/22/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Reds found their success at Dodger Stadium short-lived thanks to Los Angeles' use of the long ball last night.

The Reds, who had a season-high seven-game winning streak halted, will look to rebound tonight behind Bronson Arroyo as they aim for their first series win at Chavez Ravine since 2004 in the finale of a three-game set against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers.

The Reds halted a 12-game skid at Dodger Stadium on Friday, their first win at the ballpark since July 28, 2005, but saw the Dodgers hit four homers in Saturday's 8-5 winning decision by Los Angeles.

Johnny Cueto, returning from a seven-game suspension, was drilled for all four homers and five runs total over three innings, falling to 11-4.

"Johnny couldn't find the strike zone," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He lost his rhythm and they started hitting the ball out of the ballpark. We were playing catch-up, but we couldn't trade runs with them."

Joey Votto drove in two runs for the Reds, who had an eight-game road winning streak halted. Their lead for first place in the National League Central was also trimmed to 3 1/2 games over the Cardinals, who beat San Francisco earlier Saturday.

Ryan Theriot and Andre Ethier hit back-to-back homers in the second inning and Jay Gibbons and Matt Kemp blasted consecutive home runs the following frame for the Dodgers, who pulled within seven games of the NL Wild Card spot.

Chad Billingsley allowed seven hits and three runs over 5 2/3 innings for his first victory since July 27.

"Four home runs, that came out of nowhere," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "We kept coming at them and did some good things. Chad was okay. He had a tightness in his calf. That's why I took him out."

The Dodgers activated Manny Ramirez from the disabled list prior to the game, but he went hitless in three at-bats with two strikeouts before being replaced by Reed Johnson in left to start the sixth inning.

The Reds, who split six games at home with the Dodgers prior to this set, haven't won a series at Dodger Stadium since a three-game sweep from May 14-16, 2004, and will aim to do so tonight behind Arroyo.

Arroyo will be trying to win for the fourth time in his last five starts this afternoon and is coming off Tuesday's victory in Arizona. The right-hander gave up two runs on six hits and a pair of walks over 7 1/3 innings, claiming a 6-2 triumph while improving to 13-7 on the year with a 3.87 earned run average.

Arroyo, 33, doubled his career win total versus the Dodgers when he beat them on June 17 with seven innings of one-run ball. He worked around five hits and a season-high six walks, improving to 2-4 with a 4.21 ERA lifetime versus Los Angeles.

Kershaw goes for a second straight winning outing after the Dodgers' left- hander halted a three-start winless skid (0-2) on Tuesday versus Colorado.

Kershaw hurled seven innings of scoreless ball, limiting the Rockies to five hits and three walks while striking out six. He upped his season record to 11-7 to go along with a 3.03 ERA.

The 22-year-old earned his first career victory over the Reds in his second start versus them on June 16, holding them to a run on seven hits over 7 1/3 frames to go along with seven strikeouts.

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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.