Cubs resume impressive homestand vs. D'backs

Baseball Betting Lines

07/20/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Cubs are enjoying a very successful homestand and will hope that trend continues this afternoon with the opener of a three- game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs swept a three-game set with Houston to begin the 10-game residency before taking three of four against San Francisco, including Thursday's 9-8 victory that was overshadowed by two home runs from Barry Bonds.

Ted Lilly (10-4) served up Bonds' first homer, but got the win behind five innings of three-run ball. Aramis Ramirez provided the offensive spark in the absence of Derrek Lee, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored.

Alfonso Soriano also had three hits, scored twice and knocked in a run, while Jacque Jones finished 4-for-5.

The Cubs did suffer a set of injuries in the game, though. Daryle Ward, subbing for Lee at first base, was forced out of the game in the second inning due to a right calf strain, while Cliff Floyd left in the third with a sore neck after a collision at first.

Ward's injury may be the most concerning due to the fact Lee is currently serving a five-game suspension -- he will sit out his third game today -- and is not eligible to return until Tuesday. Mark DeRosa came off the bench to spell Ward yesterday.

Meanwhile, closer Ryan Dempster could be activated from the disabled list today for Chicago, which is 3 1/2 games behind first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central.

Jason Marquis will try to shake off two recent horrid outings when he starts today for the Cubs. The right-hander has allowed six runs and eight hits in each of his last two starts while pitching just a total of 8 2/3 innings. Marquis began the season 5-1 through seven starts, but is now just 6-5 with a 4.03 earned run average.

Despite a 2.84 ERA in seven career outings (six starts) against the Diamondbacks, Marquis is just 1-3 against them. That lone victory came on May 13 of last season behind seven innings of one-run ball and was the first of five straight winning starts for Marquis.

Chicago wasn't able to gain any ground on the Brewers despite their winning ways against the Giants, and the club has the Diamondbacks to blame for that. Arizona comes into this series having just lost three of four to Milwaukee, including a 10-1 rout at the hands of the Brew Crew on Thursday.

Livan Hernandez (5-6) was ripped for eight hits and six runs -- five earned -- in 5 1/3 innings, while Conor Jackson's solo homer provided the only run for Arizona.

Overall, the club has lost 12 of its last 16 games and is currently 4 1/2 games behind San Diego for the top spot in the NL West.

Brandon Webb will toe the rubber for the Diamondbacks today and is aiming for his first win in four starts. Webb is 0-2 over his last three outings, including a loss on Sunday against the Padres.

The right-hander allowed four runs (three earned), but was also battered for 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner did strikeout 10 batters, however, to just two walks.

The 28-year-old Webb is pitching to a 4.40 ERA over his last five starts and has fallen to 8-7 on the season with a 3.42 ERA.

He has pitched well historically against the Cubs in his career, going 4-0 with a 2.52 earned run average over six starts against them.

Arizona has also had recent success against Chicago. It won four of six against the Cubs in 2006, and is 13-6 against them since the start of the 2004 season.

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

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Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

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