Jiracek's brace lifts Wolfsburg over Freiburg

Soccer Betting Lines

02/10/2012 - Wolfsburg, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Petr Jiracek scored the first and last goals as Wolfsburg downed Freiburg, 3-2, on Friday at Volkswagen Arena in the Bundesliga.

Jiracek was one of the many new faces Wolfsburg signed in January, and newly- capped Czech Republic international provided his first two goals as Wolves won for the second time in four matches since the winter break.

Marcel Schafer also scored for Wolfsburg, which led twice within 14 minutes as Freiburg answered Jiracek's 5th-minute strike in the 12th through Johannes Flum and responded a second time through Daniel Caligiuri in the 38th.

Jiracek's second goal came just after the hour mark as the Czech international - who just debuted for his country last year - continued his emergence with a strong Bundesliga match.

Wolfsburg climbed to eighth in the table and within four points of a European place, while Freiburg lost for the third time in its last five to remain stuck on the foot of the table.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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