Canadian MLB Report: Votto powering Reds' hot start

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05/25/2010 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A strong start to the season from Joey Votto has helped the Cincinnati Reds sit atop the National League Central division standings through the first 45 games of the season. The Reds tied the St. Louis Cardinals for the division lead after a 7-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday night.

Through weekend play, Votto was hitting .307 with 10 homers, 33 runs batted in and a .406 on-base percentage. He ranks in the top 10 in the NL in home runs, on-base percentage, and walks. The 26-year-old is leading the Reds in all four of the above categories, in turn cementing himself as the centerpiece of the franchise.

Votto has also made a habit this year of delivering in the clutch. He is batting .356 with runners in scoring position, firmly entrenching himself as the No. 3 hitter in the Reds' order.

Cincinnati's second-round draft pick in 2002 will be in line for a big payday when his current contract runs out, as he continues to emerge into one of the league's elite first basemen.

SURGING

Jason Bay: All Bay needed was a new calendar month or, perhaps, more time to get used to the new environs of Citi Field. Either way, the month of May has been much more pleasant to Bay than his first in a Mets uniform. Bay has recorded a hit in 15 of his last 17 games, a stretch that included an 11-game hit streak. Bay, who is currently hitting .350 in May, has raised his team- leading average to .307.

The three-time All-Star also helped propel the Mets to a series victory over their cross-town rivals, the New York Yankees, in interleague play this past weekend. Bay went 7-for-10 in the three-game set, amassing four extra base hits along the way, including two home runs in the series finale Sunday night.

Mark Teahen: The White Sox starting third baseman extended his hit streak to seven games after going 3-for-4 with three RBI Monday night against the Cleveland Indians. Teahen is in year one of a three-year deal he signed with Chicago in the offseason, after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Kansas City Royals. During the streak, Teahen has seen his batting average rise by 30 points and is currently batting .248 with two homers and 11 RBI through 40 games.

A MAJOR RETURN

Jeff Francis: Francis followed up his solid 2010 debut with another strong start this past weekend, winning his first MLB game since 2008. The southpaw has allowed only one run in 13.1 innings of work to start the season. The 29- year-old is well on his way to a successful comeback, as he attempts to ease the load staff ace Ubaldo Jimenez has been carrying and help the Rockies reach the postseason for the third time in four years.

George Kottaras: Kottaras has assumed the role of starting catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers since Gregg Zaun was placed on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder. The Scarborough, Ont. native has shown some pop over 49 at bats this season, as nine of his 12 hits have gone for extra bases, including three homers and 11 RBI. Despite hitting .245, Kottaras is sporting a .443 OBP.

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

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Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

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To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.