Phillies try to extend Brewers' home troubles

Baseball Betting Lines

05/16/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With the back end of Philadelphia's bullpen a little banged up, the Phillies might need to rely on their starting pitchers some more over the next few weeks.

Cole Hamels, arguably the club's least consistent starter this year, will try to pitch the Phillies to a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, who look to halt a seven-game skid at Miller Park tonight.

Having won the first two games of this set, the Phillies own the best record in the National League at 22-13, giving them a three-game edge over the second-place Nationals in the NL East. Philadelphia has won eight of its last 10 and saw reliever Jose Contreras earn his first career save in yesterday's 10-6 victory.

Contreras figures to be in line for a few more saves over the next few weeks. Closer Brad Lidge was placed on the 15-day-disabled list after Saturday's game due to elbow inflammation, while Ryan Madson, who has filled in before when Lidge was hurt, is already on the DL due to surgery on his right toe.

Of course, a high-scoring offense could limit how many times the Phillies need to go to their closer. The club has scored 36 runs over its last five games, winning four of them.

Philadelphia's Shane Victorino fell a triple shy of the cycle on Saturday, going 3-for-6 with a homer, four RBI and two runs scored. Paul Hoover added three hits, two RBI and three runs scored, while Placido Polanco went 4-for-6 with an RBI.

That offensive onslaught allowed Joe Blanton to earn his first victory of the season after he allowed five runs over seven innings. He survived the Brewers hitting three homers for a second straight game, as Corey Hart hit a three-run homer off him and both Prince Fielder and Alcides Escobar added solo shots.

"This was Blanton's first win of the year and I predict if he keeps pitching the way he does he will win a lot more," said Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel.

Chris Narveson took the loss after yielding four runs over 5 2/3 innings and 130 pitches, the most by any one hurler in the majors this year. Milwaukee was swept in three games at Miller Park by Atlanta prior to this series and is just 4-13 at home this season.

"It makes it impossible to fight back when you give up as many runs a game as we do," said Milwaukee manager Ken Macha. "We gotta start winning again and getting the runs against us down is the key."

That might be tough tonight because of scheduled starter Doug Davis, who will try to improve on his 1-4 mark and 7.56 ERA this year.

The 34-year-old left-hander took the loss in his last start on Monday versus the Braves, giving up six runs on three hits and a season-high six walks over 5 2/3 innings. However, only half of those runs were earned because of a two- out error by the Brewers.

Davis is 2-2 with a 3.71 ERA in eight career starts versus the Phillies.

The Phillies will aim for their first sweep of the Brewers in Milwaukee since a three-game series from Aug. 20-22, 2004. They did sweep the Brew Crew at home from Sept. 11-14, 2008 in four games.

Tonight, Philadelphia turns to Hamels, who has frustrated the Phillies this year with inconsistency, a trend that highlighted his last two starts.

Hamels, who is 3-2 with a 4.53 earned run average this year, held the Cardinals to just one run over eight innings on May 4 and did not factor into the decision of his team's 2-1 win. However, he failed to build off that start on Sunday versus the Braves, giving up three runs on eight hits and four walks over just five innings. The southpaw did get the win, however.

Hamels, 26, has made six starts versus the Brewers in his career and is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA.

The Phillies and Brewers split four games in Milwaukee last year, but Philadelphia is 14-8 in the series since 2007 and knocked the Brew Crew out of the NLDS in 2008.

Wwwasurebet Baseball Betting News

<< Giants send Zito to the hill aiming for another sweep of Astros
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Francisco's Barry Zito will try to rebound from a wild first loss of the season as the Giants try for their second sweep this year of the Houston Astros in today's finale of a three-game series at AT&T Park. Zito,

<< Dodgers hope for sweep of division rival Padres
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The surprising Padres came into this series sitting in first place in the National League West. However, a pair of losses to the Dodgers has quickly reminded them just who the defending division champs are. San Diego will

<< Francis set for season debut as Rockies close out set with Nats
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeff Francis is expected to make his first start in well over a year this afternoon for the Colorado Rockies, who are coming off a sweep of yesterday's doubleheader and will look to secure a series win over the Washington Nat

<< White Sox aim for back-to-back wins over Royals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago White Sox try to post back-to-back wins for the first time in the month of May as they battle the Kansas City Royals in the finale of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium. On Saturday the Sox battled back fr

<< Pirates hope to leave Chicago with sweep of Cubs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Texas-born righty Ross Ohlendorf faces the Chicago Cubs for the second time in a brief major-league career today when the Pittsburgh Pirates visit Wrigley Field to close out a three-game series. The Pirates have won the fi

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

Derby and Preakness winners to skip Belmont >>
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and Preakness Stakes champ Lookin At Lucky will both skip the Belmont Stakes. Both respective trainers, Todd Pletcher and Bob Baffert, said Sunday morning that both

Rangers activate INF Arias >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers on Sunday activated infielder Joaquin Arias from the 15-day disabled list and optioned right-hander Pedro Strop to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Arias had been sidelined with a lower back stra

Another Serie A crown for Inter >>
Siena, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Inter Milan claimed its fifth successive Serie A title on Sunday as Diego Milito's goal in the 57th minute was enough to give Inter a 1-0 win at Siena. The Nerazzurri entered the final day of the season wit

Hanson overcomes penalties, wins Mallorca playoff >>
Son Servera, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Peter Hanson parred the first playoff hole Sunday to beat Alejandro Canizares and win at the Iberdrola Open Cala Millor. Hanson overcame a penalty for a double-hit on a chip and an unplayable

With all the style and sex appeal of Las Vegas, MySportsbook.com is without a doubt the coolest online sportsbook on the Internet.

At MySportsbook.com, players get to enjoy the luxury of a five star sportsbook, a racebook that's second to none, a casino with all the bells and whistles, and a swanky new poker room!

MySportsbook also has a unique games room where players can go head-to-head for cash playing such things as sports trivia and fantasy games, popular arcade games, word and memory games, and more.

Throughout MySportsbook, visitors and members are treated to informative sports news and sports betting stats Sports matchup reports and sports betting trends as well as entertaining columns written by colorful personalities.

The management at MySportsbook has been in the online gaming business since 1997. As a result of this success, management has earned a coveted spot on eGaming Review's "Power 50" list, which recognizes leaders in online gaming.

With MySportsbook.com , management's goal is to provide players with an exciting place to experience the thrill of gaming in a safe and trustworthy environment.

Thus, players at MySportsbook are assured of getting top notch customer service while having a wickedly good time.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.