Cubs' Lilly takes hill vs. Reds

Baseball Betting Lines

04/22/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago's Ted Lilly will try for a rare win over Cincinnati tonight, when the Cubs resume their three-game set with the Reds at Wrigley Field.

Lilly is just 1-5 with a 5.24 earned run average in nine career starts versus the Reds. He faced them four times in 2008 and lost all four outings, pitching to an 8.15 ERA. Lilly allowed 16 runs in 17 2/3 innings versus Cincinnati a season ago.

However, the left-hander is off to a solid start in 2009. He has posted wins over Houston and Colorado in his two starts and will pitch for the first time tonight since April 13 thanks to Sunday's rain out versus St. Louis.

Lilly faced the Rockies in his last start and threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up only a hit and two walks while striking out eight.

Johnny Cueto goes for the Reds and hasn't had the success that Lilly has had so far this year. Cueto lost his first start of the season to Pittsburgh back on April 11 and then faced Houston on Friday. He gave up just a run, but also yielded two hits and six walks in 4 2/3 innings of a no-decision.

In four career starts versus the Cubs, the right-handed Cueto is 1-3 with a 4.68 ERA.

The Cubs captured a 7-2 win in Tuesday's series opener. Aramis Ramirez had three hits and three runs batted in for Chicago.

Micah Hoffpauir hit a solo home run, collecting a pair of RBI, and Ryan Theriot had two hits and an RBI for the Cubs, who most recently took two of three from bitter division rival St. Louis in a rain-shortened home set.

Rich Harden (1-1) picked up his first win of the season in three chances, hurling six strong innings and fanning eight while giving up two runs on just three hits and two walks.

Jay Bruce drove in both Cincinnati runs with a solo shot and RBI single for the Reds, who were coming off taking three of four at Houston.

Micah Owings (0-2) lost for the second time in as many outings this season, yielding five runs -- two earned -- on five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 frames.

Chicago won eight of its 15 games against the Reds last season, including six of the nine encounters contested in the Windy City.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

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Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

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Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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