Do these Big Underdogs have a shot?

The Tuesday offerings on the Major League schedule have four games with four significant underdogs. The reasons are varied as to why, but what sports bettors want to know is if these pooches have to chance to pull the upset, leading to a significant payday. Here is a breakdown of each large underdog’s chances.

Baltimore at New York

The Orioles are trying to rebuild again, this time going thru the draft and using their young players. Unfortunately, this to will take time and in the mean while, Baltimore (41-51, -7 units) fans are once asked to be patient. The Orioles lost a close 2-1 game last night against the Yankees, however doing pretty well only counts if you are an AIG employee, which entitles you to bonus no matter what. Baltimore is 2-23 on the road versus AL East opponents and after surrendering only four runs in last two games, the O’s are 4-17 after allowing three runs or less in consecutive contests over the last two seasons. Bookmaker.com has Baltimore as +165 money line road underdogs with Rich Hill (3-2, 7.22 ERA) facing the Yankees. How little do the oddmakers think of Baltimore, New York is starting Sergio Mitre, who last started a big league game in Sept. 2007. The Orioles chances are not so hot with 11-39 record as dogs of +150 or higher.

Boston at Texas

The Red Sox (55-37, +6.9) have lost three in a row to fall into a first place tie with the Yankees and baseball bettors like their chances of ending streak even more than oddsmakers. Texas (50-41, +10.4), who defeated Boston 6-3 last evening, opened as +135 home underdogs were swiftly taken to +155, presumably with believers seeing a real pitching mismatch. Josh Beckett (11-3, 3.35) is BoSox hurler and he’s 9-1 with 2.14 ERA in last 13 outings. Beckett and the Red Sox are 21-4 as a road favorite of -125 or more since last season and they will face Rangers rookie Tommy Hunter (1-1, 2.35). The 23-year Hunter looks more like a standup outside linebacker than a pitcher, throws a low 90’s sinker, though like most young pitchers has control issues. Give Texas a punchers chance since they are 11-4 as home dogs and Boston has scored three runs against the last five rookie starting pitchers they have seen this season.

San Francisco at Atlanta

San Francisco (50-42, +9.1) has not been an offensive juggernaut to begin with; ranking 27th in runs scored at 4.1. Lately, the Giants have not done much to improve that position, scoring 14 total runs in last six contests, causing them to lose four times. Chances are it won’t get a whole easier, since they are +185 underdogs facing Atlanta’s Derek Lowe (8-7, 4.40). San Francisco faced Lowe plenty of times when he was with the Dodgers and they haven’t scored on him in last two starts covering 10 innings. The Giants will send rookie Ryan Sadowski (2-1, 1.00) up the hill and he’s shown good poise according to manager Bruce Boche. Trouble is San Fran is 8-19 as road underdog of +150 to +200. Atlanta (47-46, -6.3) has been hitting the ball, but is 8-19 after scoring seven runs or more two straight games. If the Giants can score early to build confidence and Sadowski finds early rhythm, San Francisco’s is bullpen capable of containing the Braves for upset.

Cincinnati at L.A. Dodgers

The Reds (44-48, -1.3) have lost nine of 13 to fall into fifth place in the NL Central. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has sprung a leak except for Bronson Arroyo, conceding 78 runs in last nine losses. They don’t figure to improve with Homer Bailey (1-1, 6.43) pitching against the Dodgers (59-34, +18.6). Bailey is a former first round draft choice of the Reds. The Reds are losing patience with the 23-year, who is known as much for his silly stubbornness as his ability. Bailey and the Reds are 1-12 in games he has started the last two years. Cincy is a +175 road dog and would appear in a horrible situation with the Dodgers 31-12 as +110 or higher home favorites.