The Next Week Will Define The Astros Season!
By: BOB ACTON

Just like in 2005 the Houston Astros led by their general Phil Garner are making a huge push which has vaulted them into contention for the NL Wild Card Playoff race. With 28 games to go and a record that is sub .500, Houston will welcome the dominating New York Mets to Texas and then head to the City of Brotherly Love to face the Phillies.

Houston is three games back of the Padres, but instead of focusing on who is ahead them, they need to live by the motto “one game at a time”! While Houston has Oswalt, Pettitte and Clemens, they need to get some help from another starter Wandy Rodriguez (9-8 5.46), who hasn’t won in nearly two months. Since defeating Texas on July 2, Wandy Rodriguez (9-8, 5.46) is 0-3 with an 8.82 ERA in six appearances, including three starts.

The left-hander lost his last start last Thursday, when he gave up five runs and eight hits while striking out seven in a 5-3 loss at Pittsburgh -- the Astros’ last defeat before their win streak. Rodriguez pitched a scoreless inning of relief Tuesday, allowing a hit with two strikeouts in a 10-3 win over Milwaukee.

The Mets won two of three from the Astros from July 21-23 at Shea Stadium. Houston took three of four at home against New York in 2005.

Meanwhile in the AL which used to be referred to as the ‘Junior Set’, but now is clearly the Big Brother to the NL, the Wild Card race looks like a two-horse one with the Twins and White Sox. The Tigers though have been slumping lately and their lead has been whittled down to 4 ½ games. You want to do some baseball betting on this team, you might want to check out their odds at your favorite sportsbook first.

The Twin must head to the Bronx Zoo and will face Cory Lidle and two no-names Jeff Karsten and Darrell Rasner. Carlos Silva (8-12, 6.50 ERA) will take the mound Friday in the opener of a six-game road trip. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in two starts against the Yankees, winning his last start against them on June 5, 2005 with seven innings of two-run ball in a 9-3 home victory.

Silva, however, is 0-3 in his last four starts with a 7.15 ERA, and hasn’t won since Aug. 5. He will be making his first start at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees will counter with Cory Lidle (2-2, 4.15), who will be looking to rebound from a rough outing. If you are looking for some good betting, this would be a game I would keep my eye out for.

Bob Acton

Sports Betting

General Texas Holdem tips - Heads Up Vs. Multi-way Pot

Many of the concepts discussed on the strategy category are suitable for ‘heads up’ situation. When playing in a multi opponent’s pot you should make some adjustments: 1.Bluff rarely – you will probably get called by one of the opponents. Bluff only if: a.The pot is worth it b.You have a very tight image Or if you don’t care about getting caught bluffing once in a while, in order to mix your game style. 2.Semi-bluff less – when playing against many o. . .

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