Let's play two: Tigers, Indians set for doubleheader

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07/17/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers get two cracks at the last-place Cleveland Indians today, as the AL Central squads hookup for a doubleheader at Progressive Field.

On Friday, Andy Marte and Austin Kearns each hit a two-run homer, leading the Indians in an 8-2 rout of the Tigers to begin a four-game series.

Travis Hafner and Trevor Crowe both added two hits and an RBI for the Indians, who had lost five of six to end the first half of the season. Carlos Santana also drove in a run and stole a base for Cleveland, which is still 15 games back in the AL Central.

"We got some key hits, especially the one by Marte," said Cleveland manager Manny Acta. "That two-run homer was big for us, and then the cushion that was provided by Austin Kearns."

Jake Westbrook (6-5) pitched 5 2/3 effective innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk while fanning five.

Miguel Cabrera and Brennan Boesch each drove in a run for the Tigers, who have lost two straight following a five-game win streak. Austin Jackson registered a triple among two hits for Detroit, which trails Chicago by one game for the AL Central lead.

Max Scherzer (6-7), who was 4-0 in his last five starts and allowed just three runs in his previous 27 2/3 innings, yielded four runs, five hits and a season-high five walks in five frames. He struck out seven.

"We have to play better in all phases," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. "We were sloppy defensively. We were sloppy on the bases. The pitching wasn't good. We didn't hit good. We didn't manage good. We didn't do anything good."

The Tigers will send Justin Verlander to the hill in today's first game. The hard throwing right-hander has been hot of late, winning three straight and six of his last seven starts. On July 9th, Verlander gave up two earned runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings of a 7-3 win over Minnesota.

Verlander is just 9-10 with a 5.39 ERA in 21 career starts versus the Indians, but he has won his last five decisions against them. He yielded three runs and fanned nine in six innings of a 6-4 triumph at Progressive Field on May 8th.

Detroit brought back Rick Porcello from Triple-A Toledo to start the second game. The young right-hander last made an appearance for the Tigers on June 19th, when he gave up five runs - four earned - in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-5 loss to Arizona.

Porcello has never lost to Cleveland in six career starts, posting a 4-0 record and a 2.55 ERA. In two appearances versus Cleveland this season, Porcello is 1-0, allowing five earned runs over 10 1/3 innings.

Fausto Carmona gets the nod for the Indians in the first game and he has put together three straight quality starts. On July 9th, the right-hander surrendered two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings of a 9-3 triumph at Tampa Bay.

In 13 lifetime starts against the Tigers, Carmona is 6-3 with a 3.34 ERA. He, however, is 0-2 in his past five appearances against them. On June 2nd, Carmona gave up just two earned runs over eight innings against Detroit, but was the on short end of a 3-0 decision.

Mitch Talbot toes the rubber in the nightcap for the Indians and he has fallen in two straight and four of his last five starts. In his most recent appearance on July 7th, the rookie right-hander permitted four earned runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 4-3 loss at Texas.

This is Talbot's fourth career appearance against the Tigers and he is 1-1 with a 9.49 ERA against them. He is 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA in two starts versus Detroit this season.

The Tigers split a two-game set in Cleveland in May, but they are 8-4 there since the start of last season, while going 20-7 overall in the last 27 meetings.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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