Up to MLB Betting Trends

posted May 14, 2008 at 18:38 in MLB Betting Trends

BetUS MLB baseball betting odds: Detroit -145, Kansas City +125; Total 9 (Under -120, Over - Even)

The Detroit Tigers (16-23) find themselves in a very unfamiliar position - last place in the American League Central. On Wednesday night they will try to take a positive step in climbing out of the cellar when they take on the Kansas City Royals (17-21) in an AL contest that is set to begin at 8:10 PM ET at Kauffman Stadium (natural turf) in Kansas City.

It's a battle between right-handers, as Justin Verlander (1-6, 6.43 ERA) of the Tigers opposes Luke Hochevar (2-2, 4.94 ERA) of the Royals.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Detroit is listed as a -145 favorite (Kansas City is +125), with a total of nine runs (the Under is -120, while the Over is even money).

Here are some of the MLB Baseball online betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* DET has lost eight of its last ten games

* DET has played four of its last six games UNDER the total

* DET has lost four of its last five road games

* KC has lost 15 of its last 23 games

* KC has played eight of its last 11 games UNDER the total

* KC has lost six of its last nine home games

* KC has played 20 of its last 26 home games UNDER the total

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD MLB betting trends:

* KC has won five of the last six meetings

* Eight of the last 11 meetings have gone UNDER the total

* DET has won 15 of the last 19 meetings as the road team

* Four of the last five meetings in Kansas City have gone UNDER the total

On Tuesday night, Zach Greinke led the Royals to a 3-2 win, pulling Kansas City out a game and half ahead of Detroit in the division. The Tigers are now 8-11 on the road and have lost four of their last five in that role.

Justin Verlander's last three starts have gone under the total, but that's not because he's been holding the opposition down. In fact, he's compiled a 7.25 ERA over that time. But his team has scored only four runs for him in his last three outings and only 2.6 runs per game in all his starts. He pitched against Kansas City on Opening Day, giving up four runs in six innings and taking the 5-4 loss. His six strikeouts against the Royals were his highest total of the year.

Luke Hochevar made his first start of the season for the Royals on April 20 and was punished by Oakland, which touched him up for six earned runs in 4-2/3 innings. But since then he's had an ERA of just 3.32, with a WHIP ratio of 1.16. So he's been coming on, and as a young pitcher who's only started five games in his career, that's precisely what Kansas City is looking for.

The team ERA for Detroit is 5.03. That's the worst in the major leagues. Kansas City gets an edge in the bullpen as well (3.81) over a Detroit team that has blown half it’s save opportunities. When you consider that the Tigers have gone through a ten-game period where they have scored three runs or less seven times, they are a completely unreliable favorite. We'll take the home underdog K.C. Royals here at +125 in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: KANSAS CITY (+125)

Go to the BetUS sportsbook today and take a swing at Major League Baseball online betting. We have the most current baseball odds and lines, as well as player, game and series props throughout the MLB baseball season. To help you bet on sports, check out the Free Picks section of the Locker Room for sports betting free picks and predictions. Join BetUS to experience the best in online sports betting action!

(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com touches all the bases as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)