Diamondbacks deal Haren to Angels

Baseball Betting Lines

07/25/2010 - Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arizona Diamondbacks have traded starting pitcher Dan Haren to the Angels for starting pitcher Joe Saunders, reliever Rafael Rodriguez, minor league pitcher Patrick Corbin and a player to be named later.

Haren, a California native, was one of the few high-profile arms still available prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and several teams were vying for his services.

The Angels, who trail the Texas Rangers in the American League West by six games heading into their Sunday night tilt, nabbed the three-time All Star for the stretch run.

The 29-year-old right-hander has struggled this season, however, pitching to a 4.60 earned run average in 21 starts, his worst ERA since his 2003 rookie campaign. His strikeouts are still up, having fanned 141 in as many innings.

His 7-8 record puts the 6-foot-5, 215-pounder at 86-70 in 217 games -- 208 starts -- for his career, which includes stints in St. Louis (2003-04), Oakland (2005-07) and Arizona (2008-10). The Diamondbacks acquired Haren in an eight-player trade prior to the 2008 season.

Saunders, also 29, had spent his entire six-year career in Anaheim and was used strictly as a starter. The lefty made the All-Star team in 2008 but has also hit a rough patch in 2010, going 6-10 with a 4.62 ERA, as opposed to his career 4.29 mark. His lifetime record is 54-32 in 115 outings.

Rodriguez has made just one appearance out of the bullpen this season for LA after seeing action in 18 games in his rookie year with the club. The 25-year- old right-hander owns a 5.51 ERA.

Corbin, 21, was selected by the Angels in the second round of the 2009 draft. In two seasons in the minors, the left-hander has gone 17-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 33 games -- 32 starts.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.