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Cardinals could get Mulder back after one more rehab startBaseball Betting Lines08/16/2006 - ST. LOUIS (AP) -At the trade deadline, the St. Louis Cardinals reconciled their inability to make a big move by reasoning that Mark Mulder's return would serve the same purpose. The left-hander could be back next week from a shoulder injury. But Mulder, who had a 6.09 ERA when he went on the disabled list in mid-June, doesn't want to hear that kind of talk. Even though he entered the year as the winningest pitcher in the majors from 2001-05 (he's now third-best from '01-'06), he doesn't like to be viewed as a savior. ``I'm not looking at it any way like that,'' Mulder said. ``That's how the media makes it out to be, that's what people say or look at it that way. ``I just want to come back healthy and help this team.'' Mulder, whose last appearance was an awful stint of 2 1-3 innings against the White Sox on June 20 in which he allowed nine runs, pitches for Triple-A Memphis on Thursday in his third rehabilitation start. Because he reverted to old mechanical mistakes in the last one, walking four and allowing four earned runs in four innings, the Cardinals are waiting to see how Mulder fares before committing themselves. Manager Tony La Russa noted also that, given the team's recent slide, he has other things to worry about. The Cardinals' lead in the NL Central slipped to 1 1/2 games before a 5-0 victory over the second-place Reds on Tuesday. ``It depends on how he feels after he pitches,'' La Russa said. ``One thing at a time. Before he gets back, there's a lot to concentrate on.'' Mulder knows he has to prove he's ready, too, to return from rotator cuff inflammation and a shoulder impingement. Instead of throwing over the top, he was at three-quarters in the last few starts before he went on the disabled list, and in the last rehab outing he slid back into that arm slot at times. The result: a loss of control and pitches that flattened out. ``It's a process of trying to get my arm in the right spot, and when I don't it's inconsistent,'' Mulder said. ``It's more just a matter of getting that right feeling, and then I'm fine.'' Mulder's slide is ill-timed for a pitcher headed for free agency, although there's time to rectify the damage. Mulder, who won 21 games in 2001 for Oakland and at least 15 in each of the next four seasons, never thought correcting his bad habit would be easy. ``It's part of the muscle memory of how long I did it incorrectly,'' Mulder said. ``When maybe you get, say, a little tired or whatever, then you start to go back to what you used to do.'' Chris Carpenter, the NL Cy Young Award winner last year, has his locker next door to Mulder's and the two discuss their ups and downs. Carpenter just doesn't want Mulder to rush back. ``We talk about what's going on and what he's doing,'' Carpenter said. ``Obviously, I'd love to see it because he's an important part of this club, but he needs to get himself right first.'' The Cardinals acquired Mulder to be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher before the 2005 season and he rewarded them with 16 wins. He's hoping to be that guy again, and right away. ``I would hope so,'' he said. ``I would hope so.'' Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< Martinez placed on 15-day disabled list
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Pedro Martinez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday by the New York Mets with a minor strain in his right calf.The three-time Cy Young Award winner was examined in New York on Tuesday, one day after the injury forced h
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Work left to do: Villanova, Syracuse, DePaul, West Virginia, Providence Work left to do: Villanova [18-9 (7-7), RPI: 21, SOS: 5] Pounded Rutgers to get back to .500. If Cats can get their last two (at UConn, vs. Syracuse), that should be enough with strong computer numbers and a host of wins away from The Pavilion. The Cats have beaten Texas and swept the Big 5 (never easy in Philly), but have a couple of losses to bubble teams (Xavier, Drexel), too. I still think they'll be OK, possibly even at 8-8. Syracuse [20-8 (9-5), RPI: 53, SOS: 62] History says 10 wins will be plenty, but it might be hard for the Orange to get that last one with a final two vs. G'town, which is trying to win the league title, and at Villanova, which will be desperate for a W. The relative lack of nonconference heft and the weak computer numbers are still concerns, but the Orange have won four in a row and got a very, very big win at Providence on Saturday. DePaul [16-12 (8-7), RPI: 54, SOS: 18] Beat Cincy and should get past South Florida to get to 9-7, but then what? They have beaten Kansas and Cal (right after the DeVon Hardin injury) earlier this season, but also have lost to Bradley and Purdue, among others. They'll likely need a couple of BE tourney wins, too, but we'll see ... West Virginia [19-7 (8-6), RPI: 58, SOS: 125] The game at Pitt on Tuesday night could decide the Mountaineers' fate (barring a deep tournament run). They can still get to 9-7 in the Big East without it by beating Cincinnati, but the nine wins would be against UConn, Villanova, St. John's, South Florida, DePaul, Rutgers, Seton Hall twice and the Bearcats. Beating bubble foes is fine, but where's the beef? Outside of beating PG-less UCLA in nonconference play (still a top quality win), there's not a lot to fall back on (besides maybe NC State). WVU vs. Syracuse would be an interesting debate, as the teams don't play in the Big East regular season. WVU has the best win, but Cuse has played the much better schedule. Providence [17-10 (7-7), RPI: 70, SOS: 33] The Friars likely saw their at-large hopes die at home in the four-point loss to Syracuse, barring an unexpected run to the Big East semis or more. The RPI, bad already, won't be helped by playing St. John's and South Florida in the final two league games. For more March Madness odds go to MySportsbook.com For more College Basketball betting lines go to BettingExpress.com To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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