Five Things You Need to Know for Wed., Aug. 15
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5 Things You Need to Know in Sports
Want to start your day off right? Looking for some action and the most interesting events of the day? Baseball is again on tap tonight with football returning on Thursday. Here is a brief look at the top four important matchups of the day along with a glance at future odds.
1)Cleveland at LA Angels, Roberto Hernandez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Ervin Santana (5-10, 5.82 ERA)
The curious case of Roberto Hernandez is the intrigue for this game. Formerly Fausto Carmona, he completed a three week suspension for age and identity fraud. It was discovered that he was 31, not 28. Ervin Santana has his own problems for the downward spiraling Angels. The Angels are 0-6 Under in Santana's last 6 home starts vs. Indians. The Angels opened as a -205 favorite and the total is 8.
2)Tampa Bay at Seattle, Jeremy Hellickson (7-7, 3.52 ERA) vs. Felix Hernandez (10-5, 2.74 ERA)
Tampa Bay hopes to continue their fortune and not only keep the top wild card spot, but gain on the Yankees for first place in the AL East. They send out Hellickson who can very good and at times, not so good. Felix Hernandez is still dominant on bad team, especially at Safeco Field. Tampa Bay is 20-8 last 28 in series. Seattle opened as a -135 favorite and the total is 6.5.
3)Philadelphia at Miami, Roy Halladay (10-9, 4.34 ERA) vs. Mark Buehrle(2-5, 3.47 ERA)
Two 30-something pitchers are looking to end strong in the day game. Halladay hasn't had a very good year but he's been outstanding in his last two starts, allowing just one run combined. Buehrle hasn't been quite as sharp, allowing 14 runs in his last three starts. Philadelphia is 1-5 last 6 in series. Philadelphia opened as a -150 favorite and the total is 7.5.
4)Washington at San Francisco, Stephen Strasburg (13-5, 2.90 ERA) vs. TIm Lincecum (6-12, 5.35)
Is Tim Lincecum back? The right-hander and two-time Cy-Young award-winner has terrible numbers for him. But he's allowed just five runs in his last three starts including 3 against Colorado. Stephen Strasburg is getting closer to his innings limit of 160-180. Washington might want to considering limiting his innings to 5 or 6. Washington is 15-3 last 18 as a favorite. Washington opened as a -125 favorite and the total is 6.5.
5)Odds to Win Big 12 Conference Championship
College football practice has begun and it's time to check out the college football conference odds. Here's the latest odds to win the Big 12 from 5dimes. Oklahoma is a major favorite but watch out for newcomer West Virginia, in their first year coming over from the Big East.
Big 12 Champion
Oklahoma +120
Texas +500
West Virginia +500
Oklahoma State +800
TCU +950
Kansas State +2200
Texas Tech +3300
Baylor +6000
Iowa State +8500
Kansas +17500
Wednesday's Betting Tips
Covers.com
Weather watch
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for New York, where the Yankees host the Texas Rangers. There is a 61 percent chance of rain.
Who’s hot?
Philadelphia Phillies: After a season of disappointments, the Phillies have won three in a row and send Roy Halladay to the bump looking for No. 4 versus the Miami Marlins Wednesday. Philadelphia is 7-3 in its last 10 games.
Who’s not?
Oakland Athletics: The A’s are in Kansas City trying to right the ship in August. They’ve lost back-to-back outings and are just 1-3 in their last four games.
Game of the day
Washington Nationals at San Francisco Giants (+113, 6.5)
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers star linebacker and emotional leader on defense may need arthroscopic knee surgery. Harrison is currently on the PUP list and surgery would likely leave him out of action for Week 1’s game against the Denver Broncos.
Notable quotable
"I don't think Bobby Valentine should be fired.” – Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia on his manager after rumors circulated that the players wanted Valentine fired following a poor first season in Boston.
Betting news and notes
New York Giants DT Shaun Rogers will miss the entire 2012 season after a blood clot was discovered in his left calf. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin told the New York Daily News that the injury is "very sad.”
Phillies pitchers have combined to post a 0.41 ERA in their last five road games. Roy Halladay takes the mound versus the Marlins Wednesday.
The Astros have hit three or more home runs in nine games this season - two of them have come against the Cubs. The total for Wednesday’s game is 8.5 runs.
Chicago hasn't won consecutive games in Toronto since Aug. 4-5, 2006. The White Sox are -109 favorites in Toronto Wednesday.