08/19/2008 - Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees activated outfielder/designated hitter Hideki Matsui from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Justin Christian to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes- Barre.
After playing in three games for the Class A Tampa Yankees, Matsui had 15 simulated at-bats on Sunday in Tampa. The slugger's left knee, which has kept him sidelined since June 22, showed no signs of swelling after the workout.
As a precautionary measure, NY manager Joe Girardi said he will only use Matsui as a designated hitter for the rest of the season.
The 34-year-old Matsui aggravated the injury during New York's June 13-15 Interleague series at Houston, which also saw Yanks' ace Chien-Ming Wang go down -- potentially for the season -- with a foot injury.
Matsui is batting .323 with seven homers and 34 RBI in 69 games for the Yankees this season. He is also hitting a stellar .338 (22-for-65) with runners in scoring position.
In 40 at-bats this season for the Yankees, Christian had 10 hits, six RBI and scored six times.
<< Boston's Beckett to miss Saturday start
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett
will miss his scheduled start against the Blue Jays on Saturday because of
numbness in the pinky and ring finer on his right hand.
The 28-year-old righty conf
<< Andreev reaches third round in New Haven
New Haven, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fourth-seeded Russian Igor Andreev was an
easy second-round winner Tuesday at the $708,000 Pilot Pen Tennis event, a
final U.S. Open tune-up.
Andreev erased Belgian Olivier Rochus 6-3, 6-4 on the hardcourt
<< Orioles place closer Sherrill on shelf
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baltimore Orioles closer George Sherrill
was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with left shoulder
inflammation.
Sherrill, Baltimore's only representative at this year's All Star Gam
<< Benesova lands in Forest Hills QFs
Forest Hills, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Third-seeded Czech Iveta Benesova was
among Tuesday's opening-round winners at the $74,800 Forest Hills Tennis
Classic, a final U.S. Open tune-up.
Benesova edged out Russian Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6
Tennessee gains TE Warren, loses Cottam to surgery >>
Knoxville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Tennessee received NCAA
approval Tuesday for sophomore tight end Brandon Warren to suit up for the
Vols this season.
Head coach Phillip Fulmer also announced that junior tight en
Jets sign WR Brackins >>
Hempstead, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Jets signed wide receiver
Larry Brackins on Tuesday following the injury to start-up wideout David
Clowney during Saturday's 13-10 preseason setback to Washington.
Brackins is fres
Andreev, Fish, Karlovic all reach third round in New Haven >>
New Haven, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fourth-seeded Russian Igor Andreev, second-
seeded Croat Ivo Karlovic and eighth-seeded American Mardy Fish were second-
round winners Tuesday at the $708,000 Pilot Pen Tennis event, a final U.S.
Open tu
Mets closer Wagner out indefinitely >>
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Mets closer Billy Wagner will be out
indefinitely as he is experiencing more pain and swelling in his left elbow.
Wagner had an MRI exam at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York
on T
Elite 8 NCAA Tournament Betting at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
In what should be an outstanding Saturday of March Madness betting action, the top four teams in the South and West Regions square off in what should be extremely close match-ups. Three of the four teams are coming off extremely close games on Thursday evening, only UCLA won semi comfortably over Pitt 64-55.
Ohio State is coming off their second game in a row where in all reality they should have lost. Of course that doesn’t matter now since the name of the game is “survive and advance” but as the tournament continues, they can’t afford to keep getting down to their opponents early. Kansas also avoided a scare by holding off a scrappy Southern Illinois squad. In the third thrilling game of the evening Memphis pulled off the minor upset (+3.5) despite being the higher seed to Texas A&M.
Although the spreads are fairly small for Saturday’s games, MySportsbook.com continue to bet against the underdogs. Despite OSU’s two scares, 86% of the “betting public” feels the Buckeyes (-1.5) have what it takes to make the Final Four. In fact, so much of the early money is on OSU that the line has already moved from -1 to -1.5. In the second game of the doubleheader, Kansas and their high-powered offense are 2 point favorites as they take on UCLA and their effective defense. About 63% of the early money thus far is once again backing the favorites. If those percentages stay that high, don’t be surprised if this line moves as well. If you like Kansas (-2) you might want to jump on it early.
Memphis vs. Ohio State
Both squads were involved in thrillers on Thursday evening and should come out fired up. OSU can ill afford to get behind early like they did versus their previous two opponents (Xavier, Tennessee). Greg Oden needs to stay out of foul trouble; the Buckeyes are a completely different team when he is on the court. Memphis definitely has the athleticism and length to match-up with OSU. Of Memphis’ five leading minute earners, the shortest of the bunch is 6’5”. Each team has a very effective defense; Memphis surrenders 62.3 PPG whereas the Buckeyes give up only 61 PPG. With those type of numbers, it isn’t surprising that Memphis covered the UNDER almost 69% of the time this season. As a favorite, OSU has covered the UNDER almost 66% of the time over the last three seasons. The major concern for Memphis which is magnifies this time of the year is their brutal foul shooting (62%). This season, OSU is 17-11 ATS versus teams with a winning record and 7-2 ATS in all tournament games. Memphis has been an extremely reliable cover in tournament play in recent years with a 23-8 ATS record over the last three seasons.
UCLA vs. Kansas
In the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, UCLA will play in a role which they are very unfamiliar with that of the underdog. Only twice this season have they been getting points from the handicappers and both times they covered. Over the last three seasons UCLA is a reliable 23-7 ATS in this unfamiliar role. UCLA has not fared well against Big 12 opponents recently going 1-7 ATS since 1997. Giving up only 59.6 PPG, UCLA will definitely look to do what they do best: keep this game as low scoring as possible. Their defense has been especially tough during the tournament. UCLA opponents have been able to muster up only 48.7 PPG while shooting a combined 34.5% from the field. UCLA definitely has a challenge at hand with a Kansas team that is capable of putting points on the board in bunches. As a team, they average 79 PPG and shoot an impressive 49.6% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc. During the tournament Kansas has been “lights out” from the field having shot 56.2%.
With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action. Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.
To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards
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