Astros add Figueroa among host of moves

Baseball Betting Lines

07/21/2010 - Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Astros have claimed pitcher Nelson Figueroa off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies.

The team also claimed infielder Anderson Hernandez off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. To make room on the roster for both players, Houston has designated pitchers Gary Majewski and Polin Trinidad for assignment.

Figueroa was designated for assignment by the Phillies on July 15 after making 13 appearances, including one start, during two different stints with the team. The veteran right-hander was 2-1 with one save and a 3.46 earned run average.

Over the course of eight seasons with Arizona, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, the New York Mets and Philadelphia, he is 15-29 with a 4.47 ERA and a pair of saves.

Hernandez, who was designated for assignment on July 18, batted .246 with two runs batted in over 22 games for the Tribe this season. He has spent parts of six seasons in the big leagues with the Yankees, Nationals and Indians and is a .245 hitter with four home runs and 59 RBI.

Majewski made two relief appearances for Houston since joining the team on Monday and gave up five runs in two innings.

Trinidad has spent all season at Triple-A Round Rock and is 3-6 with a 4.55 ERA in 19 outings, 16 as a starter.

Houston has 10 days to trade, release or assign outright the contracts of Majewski and Trinidad.

The Astros also announced that right-handed pitcher Casey Daigle has cleared waivers and has accepted his assignment to Round Rock. He had been designated for assignment on Monday.

The team also optioned infielder Oswaldo Navarro to Round Rock.

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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.