Thursday MLB Betting Preview – Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins
Posted by Jeff Mattingly on June 30, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins
Tampa Bay is set to play its second opponent on six-game road trip, after making a stop in Boston over the past three days. The Rays have finished June with a losing record and recently slipped into third place in the AL East for the first time since April 13. The club hasn’t met the Twins in over 13 months, producing a 39-53 all-time record, including a 17-31 mark in the Metrodome. This will be the first time the franchise will get to play in Target Field. The Rays are 11-9 in their last 20 games versus the Twins following a club record 14-game losing streak.
Rays starting pitcher Jeff Niemann is 6-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 15 starts this season (+360), allowing just 78 hits in 99.1 innings of work. The right-hander is a perfect 4-0 with a 3.02 ERA in seven road starts on the year (+760), with the club picking up a victory in every game. Tampa Bay has provided him with 51 runs of support away from Tropicana Field. He hasn’t picked up a victory since June 8, with the Rays going 1-2 over that span. Niemann has two career appearances (one start) against the Twins, going 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA, allowing just a single run and three hits over seven innings. He has compiled a 4-2 mark and 3.25 ERA in 10 overall starts in June in his three-year career.
Minnesota captured a series victory over the Detroit Tigers with a 5-1 victory on Wednesday afternoon, led by first baseman Justin Morneau’s two home runs. “It’s just about getting to play better and more consistent”, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “It starts with pitching and we got a couple of good performances here.” Catcher Joe Mauer took the day off for the series finale against the Tigers and should be well-rested for this weekend’s series. He obviously wasn’t need, as the offense continues to get big-time production from outfielder Delmon Young. He is batting .328 with 35 RBIs in 36 games since May 21. The Twins finished June at 12-15, their lowest win total for the month since 2003.
Twins starting pitcher Carl Pavano is 9-6 with a 3.33 ERA in 15 starts (+160), including a current four-game win streak. Over that span, he has allowed just six earned runs and 18 hits over 33 innings of work, while tossing back-to-back complete in the process. The right-hander is a solid 5-3 with a 3.81 ERA in eight home starts (-40), managing to issue just 10 walks over 54.1 innings. He actually has issued just 15 walks during the course of the entire season thus far (105.1 IP). Pavano brings a 5-3 career record to the table against the Rays (+180), including an even 1-1 record and 3.00 ERA in two outings last season.
Bettors beware – despite carrying a fantastic 24-13 mark on the road this season (+890), the Rays are just 3-5 as a road underdog of +100 to +125 (-150). This is typical Tampa Bay-fashion in this situation over the last three years with a 20-28 mark (-560). There’s something about Thursday’s for the home team, posting a dismal 3-8 record this season (-790) and 17-30 over the last three (-2,020).
I suggest grabbing the cash with Minnesota -120 at Bookmaker.com
HEALTH: DEAR DOCTOR; Elle Macpherson and the like may swear by them, but crunches alone won’t get you a flat stomach. Still, munching on Vitamin C may help keep your gums in great shape. Dr Mark Porter explains all…(Features)
Sunday Mirror (London, England) December 2, 2001 Byline: Mark Porter QWhat is the best type of exercise for flattening your stomach? I had a baby earlier this year and desperately want to shift the weight I’ve gained.
AAbdominal exercises such as crunches and sit-ups will improve the tone in your tummy muscles but, on their own, won’t shift the excess weight around your midriff. Despite what you may have read, it’s physiologically impossible to spot reduce fat by exercising a particular part of the body. In other words exercising your stomach muscles won’t melt away a spare tyre, in the same way that doing leg and thigh work won’t give you more shapely hips. If you want to shift a bulge from a particular area you have to take steps to lose fat from all over your body using a sensible diet and exercise regime. Unfortunately, the various stores around the body tend to deplete at different rates and women often find that excess weight is shed from their face and bust, before their tummy and hips. Abdominal exercises are still worthwhile as they do improve posture and can reduce the likelihood of back problems (particularly if combined with pelvic floor and lower back exercises). But you must do them properly – if in doubt book a session with a trainer at a local gym.
SHOULD I TRY THE NEW COIL?
QI am in my late thirties and have used the coil for contraception for the last three years. Although I find it convenient my periods have become more painful and very heavy since it was put in. It’s now time to have it changed and my GP has suggested a new type called an IUS. What’s the difference? web site lower back exercises
AThe intra-uterine system (IUS or Mirena) is a relatively new type of coil which is impregnated with a small dose of the hormone used in the mini-pill. It looks much the same as a standard coil and is fitted in exactly the same way, but it is a more effective contraceptive and tends to make periods lighter and less painful. The latter is probably why your GP has suggested it in your case. The beauty of an IUS, like the standard coil, is that if you don’t get on with it you can always have it taken out. I would think it well worth a try. website lower back exercises
SYMPTOM OF THE WEEK CRACKING JOINTS It’s quite normal for joints to make cracking noises – it’s not the bones rubbing together, just the ligaments around them creaking and groaning. Complicated or large joints tend to crack the most – the ankle, wrist, shoulder and knee being common examples.
While they are often normal, noisy joints can also be a sign of wear and tear. The main difference between worrying and innocent noises is that you normally feel the former – in other words if you put your hand on an arthritic knee you can feel, as well as hear, the graunching.
THE ONLY WAY IS UP FOR PRESSURE KIT QMy husband has borderline high blood pressure and needs it measured by the practice nurse regularly over three months to see if he needs treatment. A friend suggested a home monitor – are they any good?
AElectric blood pressure monitors have improved tremendously in recent years and you can now buy very reliable machines for well under pounds 100. One of the problems with measuring blood pressure in the surgery is that it’s a bit artificial – we can only take a handful of readings, and patients are not at their most relaxed in a doctor’s surgery. Measuring blood pressure at home gives a much more realistic picture. And an increasing number of GPs are either recommending that their patients with blood pressure problems buy a home monitor or, in cases like your husband’s, they may even lend one out for a couple for weeks. If you do buy one make sure it is approved by the British Hypertension Society.
QCan you suggest a supplement to help prevent gum disease?
AGum disease or gingivitis can be a difficult condition to control and there is no substitute for good oral hygiene (regular gentle brushing, flossing etc) and regular dental check-ups. The role of supplements is controversial. Dentists on the continent and in Scandinavia are keen on Q10 supplements (30-60mg a day), but I have yet to meet a dentist in this country who uses them. The other supplement recommended by nutritionists is Vitamin C (250- 500mg twice daily) – particularly in smokers. If you do decide to try one or both give it at least six weeks to properly assess any benefit.
Write to DR MARK at PO Box 89, Stroud, Glos, GL6 7RS, Mark@surgerydoor.co.uk He regrets he cannot give personal replies.
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