Lining up to take shot at Lava Man

Lava Man has owned the major races in California in recent years, winning the Hollywood Gold Cup three times in a row and the Santa Anita Handicap twice.

The 6-year-old gelding, who has won 10 of 13 since the beginning of 2006, will try to make it consecutive victories in the $1-million Pacific Classic today at Del Mar, but he has not scared anybody away.

Twelve others are scheduled to run in the 1 1/4 -mile Classic, sensing the vulnerability of a California bred who hasn’t been as dominant in victory this year and who is unproven over Del Mar’s Polytrack.

Having already raced on the synthetic surface is a significant handicapping angle, so bettors looking to upset the favorite may gravitate toward San Diego Handicap winner and 6-1 longshot Sun Boat, Awesome Gem, who was the runner-up in that Grade II on July 21 and is 15-1 today, or Hello Sunday, a 4-year-old who has never won a graded stakes, but who was impressive in his first Polytrack appearance on July 19.

It also does not hurt that Hello Sunday, who is 20-1 on the morning line, is trained by Bobby Frankel. He has won the Pacific Classic, which had its inaugural running in 1991, a record six times.

Baseball

Milwaukee does not figure to remedy any of its current woes when the Brewers and Cincinnati complete a three-game series today at Miller Park.

With its once large lead in the National League Central gone, Milwaukee has to face Aaron Harang, the Reds’ best pitcher, and will counter with Chris Capuano, whose last victory (3-0 over Washington) came more than three months ago (May 7).

Harang, who has won 12 of 15 decisions for a team that is well below .500, has an earned-run average of 2.55 in his last 14 starts. His record during that span is 6-0.

Meanwhile, the Brewers have lost the last 15 games Capuano has started. He is 0-10 in those games and his ERA is 6.67.

Pro Football

Granted, it was only the first game of the exhibition season and Donovan McNabb did not play for Philadelphia, but Baltimore looked like a team ready to defend its title in the AFC North in its 29-3 victory over the Eagles last Monday.

The Ravens gave up only 23 rushing yards, didn’t commit a turnover and had only three penalties in the win.

Baltimore will try for a second consecutive victory at home when it plays host to the New York Giants. A 24-21 loser to Carolina in their first game of the exhibition season, the Giants weren’t nearly as efficient. New York missed numerous tackles while surrendering 154 rushing yards to the Panthers.

This is the second year in a row the two teams will meet in the exhibition season in Baltimore. In 2006, the Giants scored 10 fourth-quarter points to win, 17-16.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com