A-Rod takes another crack at 600 in finale with Royals

Baseball Betting Lines

07/25/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The finale of the series between the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals could be a historic one, as Alex Rodriguez comes into the matchup one home run shy of becoming the seventh member of the 600 home run club.

Rodriguez has hit memorable homers against the Royals in the past, as the illustrious third baseman clubbed his first-ever homer and his 500th long ball against Kansas City.

A long ball from A-Rod might be needed in today's matchup, as the Yankees' starting pitcher Phil Hughes is scuffling through a major slump. In his last four starts the hard-throwing right-hander has surrendered 19 runs in 23 2/3 innings. Hughes has been pounded for 31 hits during that span, and that includes six home runs.

The last time the young hurler took the hill he was battered by the Angels, allowing six runs on nine hits and three walks. It was just the second home loss on the year for Hughes, who despite winning six of his 10 starts at Yankee Stadium, also possesses a meager 5.22 ERA in front of the home crowd.

Surprisingly the Royals have dominated Hughes in his young career. In three appearances -- two starts -- against KC, he has allowed nine runs on 13 hits and six walks in 8 2/3 innings.

The Royals will turn to newly acquired Sean O'Sullivan this afternoon. O'Sullivan came over in a trade with the Angels that sent Alberto Callaspo to Anaheim. Before being traded O'Sullivan made his first start on the year for the Angels, and ironically that came against Hughes and New York.

The California native received 10 runs in support and handled his business on the mound, holding the Yankees to just two runs in six innings. That was the first-ever meeting for the young hurler against the Bronx Bombers.

On Saturday, Scott Podsednik went 3-for-4, scored once and drove in a run, leading Kansas City to a 7-4 win. Jose Guillen added his 16th homer and drove in two runs, while Rick Ankiel also had two RBI for the Royals, who won for only the third time in 12 games overall.

Kyle Davies (5-6) recorded his first win since May 28th, going eight starts without one, after yielding four runs, seven hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. Joakim Soria locked down his 27th save.

Mark Teixeira blasted two homers and drove in three for the Yankees, who fell to 5-3 on a nine-game homestand. Jorge Posada also homered in defeat.

Rodriguez, sitting on 599 career homers and facing Davies, off whom he belted his 500th home run, went 1-for-4 with an infield single.

Sergio Mitre (0-2) made his first start since May 16 and gave up seven runs -- five earned -- and seven hits in 4 1/3 frames. He is filling in for Andy Pettitte, who is expected to be out about a month with an injured groin.

Despite the loss the Yankees still own a commanding 16-5 ledger against the Royals at home.

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Pacific-10 Conference odds

Teams that should be in: Stanford

Oregon and USC get their tickets punched after taking care of business this weekend. Yes, the Trojans' computer numbers aren't great, but there's no way the third-place team in this league is getting nixed. Grudgingly, I added Arizona after consultation with our Bracketologist. I don't know that Arizona will lose its last three (including a Pac-10 quarterfinal game), and even if the Cats do, I still can't see how they'd be left out, given the overall profile. That said, it bears watching, as three more L's would leave them at 18-12 (9-9) and on a 6-11 skid entering the Dance. It would be nice to see the Wildcats get at least one W in the Bay Area next week, as Cincinnati (albeit without Armein Kirkland and with a worse profile) was axed after a similar slide last season. I just couldn't rationalize having some of the other teams as locks and not having Arizona in that category -- there just aren't enough good teams behind the Cats to threaten their spot, it seems. Stanford has its fate in its own hands with the Arizona schools coming to the Farm to close out the regular season next weekend.

Should be in:

Stanford [17-10 (9-7), RPI: 40, SOS: 21] No shame in not getting a win in L.A., but that makes the home game against Arizona State a must-win ahead of what could be an intriguing meeting with Arizona should the Cats lose at Cal. Getting to 11 Pac-10 wins would make Selection Sunday much more comfortable, but 10's probably more than enough this season. The Cardinal have nonconference wins over Texas Tech and at Virginia to lean on, although they also lost badly to Air Force and Santa Clara at home.

Southeastern Conference odds
Work left to do: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State

It looks more and more possible that no one from the SEC West will make the NCAAs. How weird is that? Tennessee and Vandy move into the locks category after more good work this weekend. Kentucky stays there, although it would be smart for the Cats to handle Georgia at home Wednesday ahead of a trip to the Swamp. Could a disaster scenario (two more L's and a first-round SEC tourney exit) somehow dislodge the Cats despite their incredible computer numbers? Still unlikely, but not worth chancing it.

Work left to do:

Alabama [19-9 (6-8), RPI: 43, SOS: 47] The tough L at Tennessee was understandable, and even created some hope. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed by a home loss to Auburn, which leaves the Tide in some real trouble. There's still no signature win on the profile (no, Kentucky doesn't count), and the computer profile is weakening rapidly. The Tide conceivably could beat Ole Miss and win at Miss. State to get to 8-8 and clinch at least a share of the West crown, but that's probably not enough right now. The Tide will need to do some work in the SEC tourney.

Georgia [16-10 (8-6), RPI: 52, SOS: 23] This is the team with the best chance to make it from this section right now. The Bulldogs rebounded from a terrible performance at Ole Miss to beat down Miss. State. Now they are at Kentucky (king of the RPI 51-100 win) and home to Tennessee. That would be worth a lot of computer points to get both (which is doable), as both teams are in the top 11 in RPI. Finishing at least 9-7 is an absolute must, and I would feel much better about the Dawgs' chances if they got both to get to 10 SEC wins. They also beat Gonzaga, but lost to ACC bubblers Georgia Tech and Clemson.

Mississippi [18-10 (7-7), RPI: 63, SOS: 79] Like everyone else in this division, Ole Miss gacked up a chance to stake a claim, losing by double figures at South Carolina. Even 9-7 likely is not nearly enough with a nonconference profile devoid of anything notable.

Mississippi State [16-11 (7-7), RPI: 66, SOS: 37] With a chance to get in the mix, these Bulldogs were leashed by their Georgia counterparts. Could they get to 9-7? I guess -- although winning at Arkansas, then beating Alabama is no lock -- but would that mean all that much for a team with this overall profile? Probably not. There's nothing of note (on the good side) in the nonconference profile.

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