Mets ace Johan Santana was scratched from Tuesday's start at Florida due to a sore elbow. He will be examined by team physician Dr. David Altchek and replaced on the mound by Nelson Figueroa. When Santana pitched at Florida in April, the Mets were a -125 favorite. With Figueroa on the mound, they are -107 and moving toward becoming an underdog.
The list of injured players for the Mets makes a pretty good team that is only missing a catcher. Currently, Santana, one-time closer J.J. Putz, outfielders Carlos Beltran, Jeff Francoeur and Fernando Martinez, first baseman Carlos Delgado, second baseman Ramon Martinez, shortstop Jose Reyes and third baseman David Wright all are unable to play.
Nice opening for new closer
Carlos Marmol, who became closer for the Chicago Cubs after Kevin Gregg tore the heart out of Cubs fans with three blown saves and a loss in a 17-day span in August, finally got a chance to seal a game Sunday and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth against the Dodgers, striking out Manny Ramirez to end the game. Marmol throws as hard as anyone in the game but has control problems; in 58 1-3 innings, he has allowed just 32 hits and struck out 69 but has issued 52 walks. The Cubs are back home Tuesday and a -240 favorite vs. Washington.
Connecticut not jonesin' for Asjha
The Connecticut Sun are 4-0-2 against the spread in their last six games despite missing their best player. Asjha Jones, the club's leading scorer, has missed the Sun's last three games, but Connecticut is 2-1 straight up and 1-0-2 against the number. The surging squad are 4-point faves tonight against the Shock. Jones isn't expect back for at least another week because of a sore Achilles tendon.
Arsenal gunning for critics
Remember when Arsenal sold their best striker (Emmanuel Adebayor) and defender (Kolo Toure) to Manchester City and there were whispers the Gunners wouldn't be able to secure a place in the top four of the Premiership table?
Well, those whispers have silenced. Arsenal are undefeated in EPL and Champions League play so far and have outscored their opponents 12-2. They're -300 faves to win Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Celtic. Find out our soccer expert's pick for the match here.
Getting the Joba done?
The Yankees constantly monitor the innings pitched by Joba Chamberlain, who is a -173 favorite vs. Texas. But based on recent outings, you have to wonder whether Chamberlain is wearing down. Since allowing just one run and five hits in 15 innings over consecutive starts vs. Oakland and Tampa Bay on July 24 and 29, Chamberlain has pitched just 16 innings in three starts and allowed 18 hits, 12 walks and 12 runs. In his last start, he threw 90 pitches, the first time in six starts he has been under 100.
Quotable
"Isn't this like Chicken Little yelling 'The sky is falling' at the same time selling tickets to watch meteor showers?" - Judge Theodore McKee, noting that betting advice is given on the NFL Network on Sirius/XM Radio. Nevertheless, McKee and two other judges on an appeals court panel in Philadelphia ruled Monday that Delaware's plan to stage single-game sports betting violates federal law.
Helpful notes for Tuesday 8/25
Reply With Quote