Astros getting left in the dust

Baseball Betting Lines

07/11/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - To say that things haven't exactly gone the Houston Astros' way this season would be quite an understatement.

When the general manager is getting choke-slammed by a player, and your league MVP candidate is sidelined because of pink eye, it's usually a pretty good bet the playoffs aren't at the forefront of everyone's mind. It's simply been one of those seasons for the Astros, and the light at the end of the tunnel is still months away.

Even with Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston is just 2-7 in the month of July. Houston kicked off the month with three straight losses at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers. They've followed that up by dropping two of three to both the Atlanta Braves and the Pirates, the latter of which occupied last place in the National League Central for much of the season -- until now. June wasn't much better, either. This time last month, the Astros were in the midst of a stretch in which they lost eight straight, and 12 of 14.

With the team in the nation's capital this weekend taking on the Washington Nationals, it will be a battle between last-place teams. Got your tickets? The real question facing this team is, where exactly are they headed? General manager Ed Wade has his work cut out for him to address that one. After all, the nucleus of the team, with guys like Berkman, Carlos Lee and Roy Oswalt, isn't exactly tomorrow's youth.

Granted, there are a few promising young players on the club, such as outfielder Hunter Pence and pitcher Wandy Rodriguez. But the list more or less stops there. The majority of the roster is filled with guys in their 30s. With the trade deadline nearing, the whispers have gotten louder about Roy Oswalt (7-8, 4.60) being shipped elsewhere. The team, and Oswalt, have downplayed such talks. The team's highest paid player, Miguel Tejada, who is raking in nearly $15 million this year, has been hitting around the Mendoza Line for the better part of the last two months. Not surprisingly, the team has spiraled downward ever since.

Houston has a combined salary of nearly $90 million this season, with Tejada, Oswalt, Berkman and Lee making up the lion's share of that figure. Indeed, Wade will have his hands full in order to get this team headed in the right direction. So far, his only move of significance was sending closer Brad Lidge to Philadelphia for Geoff Geary and some change. Lidge hasn't done much besides put together perhaps his best season as a pro and will be representing the National League at next week's All-Star game.

BACK TO ACTION

After getting through a bullpen session on Tuesday, Oswalt is in line to start tonight's game in Washington. The right-hander was given a numbing shot last Saturday in hopes of relieving the hip pain that has cost him two starts.

"I was a little worried at first," Oswalt said on the team's website. "I was probably throwing 70-80 percent when I first got out there. The last 20 pitches, I threw as hard as I could throw. I didn't feel anything. I wasn't as crisp as my last start, but hopefully it comes back Friday."

Miguel Tejada, who has played in nearly every game this season, was given the day off Wednesday, and with that off day, the hope is he will have his battery re-charged a bit. Second baseman Kaz Matsui came off the disabled list on Wednesday and recorded two hits.

WHO'S HOT

Ty Wigginton has picked it up with eight hits in his last five games.

WHO'S NOT

The aforementioned Tejada is in a 2-for-18 rut. Michael Bourn found himself benched for four straight games after an 0-for-19 slump, although he did respond with two hits on Wednesday.

The team last week designated reliever Oscar Villareal (1-3, 5.02 ERA, 35 appearances) for assignment. On Thursday, Villareal rejected his demotion to the minors and will become a free agent. Houston is on the hook for the remainder of his $2.85 million contract.

A LOOK AHEAD

As indicated, Oswalt will return to action tonight against Tim Redding (6-3, 4.06) and the Nationals. Rodriguez (3-3, 3.23) will take the hill Saturday opposite Collin Balester (1-1, 5.06). And on Sunday, it will be Brandon Backe (5-9, 5.07) against Odalis Perez (2-6, 3.66).

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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

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