Holliday caps Cards' comeback in ninth for sweep of Dodgers

Baseball Betting Lines

07/18/2010 - St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Holliday's two-out, game-winning RBI single capped a five-run rally in the final two innings, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers and a four-game sweep at Busch Stadium.

Entering the ninth protecting a one-run lead, Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton (3-1) couldn't hang on. Yadier Molina, who didn't start due to a scheduled game off, singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After left fielder Xavier Paul made a running grab on Felipe Lopez's fly ball, Jon Jay kept the game alive with a walk.

Allen Craig followed with a single up the middle, scoring Molina without a throw, and Holliday laced a Broxton offering off the wall in right to plate the game-winner in Jay.

Craig, starting at first on his 26th birthday in place of Albert Pujols (rest), finished with two hits and three RBI for the Cardinals, who have won five straight and evened the all-time series between these storied franchises at 998-998-16. Randy Winn added two hits and an RBI in the win.

Ryan Franklin (4-1) earned the win for tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

The Dodgers, who have lost five of six, got six shutout innings from Vicente Padilla before the bullpen faltered. Travis Schlichting gave up two runs in 1 1/3 frames before Justin Miller yielded another run without retiring a batter.

Trailing by four in the eighth, the Cardinals crept closer with three runs off the Dodgers' bullpen.

Schlichting began his second inning on the mound by walking Brendan Ryan. Two batters later, Jay walked, and Craig greeted Miller with a double to left, bringing in both runners. Broxton was quickly summoned from the bullpen, and he allowed a two-out, run-scoring single to Winn to make it a 4-3 game.

Broxton followed by walking Skip Schumaker, but induced a groundout from pinch-hitter Pujols to end the threat and get to the ninth.

The Dodgers managed only one runner in scoring position in the first four innings, but Ronnie Belliard began the fifth with a single. Paul grounded into a fielder's choice before A.J. Ellis' single put runners on the corners.

Padilla stepped up to the plate and belted the first pitch he saw for a double, easily scoring Paul for a 1-0 advantage.

While St. Louis' offense was shut down by Padilla, Los Angeles scored three times in the seventh off Mitchell Boggs to increase its lead. Belliard singled, and Ellis reached on a one-out error. Garret Anderson pinch-hit for Padilla and smacked an RBI double to left before Ellis raced home on a wild pitch. Matt Kemp's walk with the bases loaded later in the inning put the visitors ahead, 4-0.

Game Notes

Dodgers manager Joe Torre celebrated his 70th birthday Sunday...LA first baseman James Loney (hamstring) did not play...St. Louis won the season series, 4-3, with the home team winning each contest...Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez (calf) and catcher Russell Martin (thumb) both sat out...The Cardinals have recorded an extra-base hit in 46 straight games, the longest active streak in the majors...Padilla has allowed two or fewer runs while throwing 6 2/3 innings in four straight starts. He yielded one hit and five walks on Sunday...Jeff Suppan gave up one run on five hits and a walk in six innings in the start for St. Louis...The Cardinals are 15-3 in regular season contests against the Dodgers at new Busch Stadium. St. Louis is also 14-1, including an 8-0 mark against Los Angeles, in games during the first home series following the All-Star break at new Busch Stadium.

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Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.